Swedes dominate Texas Open

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Jesper Parnevik stormed to a four-shot lead Friday at the midway point of the Texas Open -- a tournament in danger of being renamed the Swedish Open.

The top four players on the leader board at the 36-hole mark were all from Sweden.

Parnevik, winless on the PGA Tour since 2001, shot a 65 at the LaCantera Country Club for a two-day total of 14-under 126. The 61 he shot on Thursday was the lowest round of his tour career.

Mathias Gronberg was alone in second at 130 while Fredrik Jacobson and Richard Johnson shared third place at 131.

Justin Leonard, a two-time winner of this event, was alone in fifth at 132.

Parnevik needs a high finish in one of the remaining tour events this year to retain his playing privileges for next season. He is 138th on the money list and only the top 125 earn exemptions for 2008. A win would give him an exemption for the next two years.

Colt Knost, making his professional debut after winning both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Public Links titles this summer, made the cut on the number at 1-under 139.