Lehman sets PGA Tour record

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Six weeks after one of the most disappointing moments of his career, Tom Lehman matched the PGA Tour's 36-hole scoring record Thursday to take the lead at the Invensys Classic.

Lehman shot a bogey-free, 10-under-par 62 to reach 19-under 125 at a five-round event that has also featured a sudden resurgence by Fred Couples and continued outstanding play by John Daly.

Lehman's 36-hole total tied the tour record set by Tiger Woods at the 2000 NEC Invitational.

Couples, winless since 1998, added a 64 to his opening round 63, but had to settle for second place at 127. Couples played the TPC at the Canyons on Thursday in the event's three-course rotation. That course is a par 71 while the other two courses played in the tournament have a par of 72.

Daly also played the Canyons and shot a 62 to put himself alone in third at 129. Daly has three top-four finishes during the last five weeks, including a victory at the European Tour's BMW International.

At 130 was Australian Craig Parry while Rory Sabbatini, Robert Allenby and Bob Estes were all at 131.

The cut will be made after Friday's third round.

Lehman picked up where he left off Wednesday, rolling in 10 birdies at the Southern Highlands olf Club. He opened the event with a 63 at the TPC-Summerlin.

"The expectations were high coming in here," said Lehman, who is winless since January 2000 and has missed three straight cuts. "The clubs feel comfortable in my hands."

Lehman's disappointing season includes a snub from United States Ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange, who instead chose Paul Azinger and Scott Verplank for the 12-man team.

This is Lehman's first appearance since, and he is making the most of it. Through two rounds, he has 19 birdies and no bogeys.

"I am playing the way I was hoping to play," said Lehman, who is 36th on the money list, six spots away from qualifying for the Tour Championship. "To shoot these kinds of scores makes me real happy."