Leaney has lead after late birdie

Stephen Leaney made a 40-foot birdie putt on his last hole to finish with a four-under-par 67 that gave him a one-shot lead over Heath Slocum on Friday after the second round of the PODS Championship at Palm Harbor, Fla.

Defending champion K.J. Choi and Chris DiMarco were among those another shot behind. Only 37 players remained under par and 27 of them were within four shots of the lead.

The shortest of Leaney’s six birdie putts was 12 feet.

“This golf course just wears you out,” said the 37-year-old Australian, who was runner-up to Jim Furyk in the 2003 U.S. Open.

Brad Faxon was only four shots behind until he struggled down the stretch for a 74 and made the cut on the number.

First-round leader Cliff Kresge also shot a 74 and is three shots behind.

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Stacy Prammanasudh shot a five-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead during the suspended first round of the LPGA’s MasterCard Classic at Huixquilucan, Mexico. Two-time defending champion Annika Sorenstam had a 69 in her season debut.

Sixty-seven players were unable to complete the round because of darkness.