Price leads Couples by one

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 9 (UPI) -- Nick Price battled through difficult conditions Friday and finished one shot in front after two rounds of the Wachovia Championship.

"It was a scruffy day for me," Price said after making three birdies and two bogeys en route to a 1-under-par 71 in demanding, breezy conditions at the Quail Hollow course.

Price reached 7-under 137 while first-round co-leader Fred Couples (72) and J.P Hayes (66) shared second at 138. Rick Beem (72), Brandt Jobe (69), Charles Howell III (69), Robert Gamez (67) and David Toms (69) were all at 139.

Price usually is a machine from tee to green, but he hit only eight fairways and nine greens in an uncharacteristically wayward display.

"I went through a period where I could not even hit a green, mainly because I couldn't stop the ball in the fairway," the 46-year-old three-time major champion said.

"I got away with not hitting the ball very well and the reason is because I'm putting as well as I could possibly putt. My putter saved me on three or four occasions on the back nine."

Price admitted that if his driving does not improve, he will struggle over the weekend.

"If my putting goes off a little bit and I play like today, I'm going to shoot 74 or 75," he said.

Meanwhile, Couples got to 9-under after seven holes before bogeying three of the next four, but he steadied the ship to par in to the clubhouse.

"It's such a hard course," he said. "You know pars are going to be premium and you're going to make some bogeys. I feel good where I'm at."

Couples, who has endured intermittent back problems throughout his career, felt a spasm while lining up a putt at his 13th hole.

"I'm very tired and sore," he said.