SILVIS, Ill., July 26 (UPI) -- J.P. Hayes fired a course-record, 10-under-par 61 Friday to tie Fred Funk for the lead after two rounds of the John Deere Classic.
Hayes and Funk finished 36 holes at 14-under 128, one shot in front of Robert Gamez.
Hayes is looking for his first tour victory since 1998, when he won the Buick Classic. He notched 11 birdies, including four in a row beginning at the fourth to make the turn at 31.
"It was a lot of fun," said Hayes, whose score also tied Mike Smith's tournament record set in 1987. "I felt like I was going to play well, but you never expect something like that."
Funk began his second consecutive bogey-free round with a 12-foot putt for the first of his seven birdies.
"I really am hungry for a win," said Funk, who placed second in last week's B.C. Open but also is winless since 1998. "I really want to play well and I want it really bad."
Briny Baird, last year's runner-up, and Nolan Henke were tied for fourth at 11-under 131.
Five others were at 132, including Pat Bates, who celebrated his 33rd birthday by shooting a 9-under 62, and Mike Heinen, who had a one-stroke lead after the first round.
