LA QUINTA, Calif., Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Dean Wilson shot a 4-under-par 68 Friday to maintain his lead at the halfway point of the PGA Tour's Qualifying Tournament.
Wilson, at 14-under-par 202, held a two-stroke advantage over John Morgan (65) and a four-stroke cushion over Tommy Tolles (64). Tolles rallied from 58th place in a tournament where the top 35 and ties will win their way onto the 2003 tour.
Wilson had four birdies at PGA West's Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course on his way to a second consecutive bogey-free round.
"I think I only found trouble on one hole, and I was able to make a par there so overall, I'm really happy," said Wilson, a member of the Japan Golf Tour the past two seasons. "There are three more rounds to go, so you have to treat it just like any other tournament."
Morgan stormed out of the gate with a 6-under-par 30 on his front nine, but two bogeys on the final four holes prevented him from joining Wilson at the top of the leaderboard.
"I have done all right," said Morgan, who has already secured his playing card for the 2003 European Tour. "Today was a bit of a blur, really. I just hope I can keep it going. There is a long way to go still."
Tolles continued to be the tournament's hottest golfer after opening the six-day event with a 7-over-par 43 on the front nine at the TPC Stadium Course Wednesday. Since then, the PGA TOUR veteran has played 45 holes in 17-under par, including Friday's 8-under-par 64 at the Tournament Course.
Joel Kribel (67), Bobby Gage (70), Anthony Painter (72), Jeff Brehaut (72), Chris Anderson (66) and James McLean (67) were five shots behind the leader at 9-under-par 207.
Other players of note included Donnie Hammond (tied for 10th), Dennis Paulson (T16), Mark Hensby (T16), Brett Quigley (T27), Franklin Langham (T35), Andy Miller (T49), Bob May (T59), Casey Martin (T72), Brandel Chamblee (T90), Blaine McCallister (T103) and Scott Simpson (T117).
