NAPLES, Fla., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- J.B. Holmes sank a 30-foot birdie on the 18th hole Saturday to give him and John Daly a one-shot lead through two rounds of the Merrill Lynch Shootout.
Holmes and Daly combined to shoot 10-under 62 in the better-ball format to get to 19-under-par 125 after two rounds.
Scott Verplank birdied the 18th to give him and Justin Leonard their second straight 9-under 63. They share second place with Rod Pampling and Jerry Kelly, who combined for a 10-under 62 in round two.
Friday's action was alternate shot, while the format for Saturday was better ball. Sunday the teams will play scramble.
Three teams, including defending champions John Huston and Kenny Perry, are tied for fourth place at 15-under 129. The other two teams are Mark O'Meara-Jeff Sluman and Trevor Immelman-Rory Sabbatini.
