PALM HARBOR, Fla., March 20 (UPI) -- Nick Watney, who finished a shot behind winner Phil Mickelson last week, grabbed a share of the lead Friday at the midway point of the Transitions Championship.
Watney and Steve Stricker fired a 4-under 67 on the Copperhead Course at Westin Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla. They were tied for the lead at 6-under 136.
Stricker and Watney have combined for one tournament title and three runner-up finishes this season. In addition to finishing just behind Mickelson at last week's CA Championship, Watney captured the Buick Invitational and is third in the FedEx Cup points standings.
Stricker wound up second behind Geoff Ogilvy at the Mercedes-Benz Championship and was a runner-up to Mickelson at the Northern Trust Open.
Stuart Appleby (67), Jonathan Byrd (70), J.J. Henry (68), Charles Howell III (66), Tom Lehman (69), Joe Ogilvie (66), Troy Matteson (68) and two-time U.S. Open champ Retief Goosen (68) are tied for third at 137.
It took a score of 1-over 143, just seven shots off the lead, to make the 36-hole cut. Among those making the cut on the number was first-round leader Jim Furyk, who stumbled to a 78 Friday.
Among those missing the weekend action were Mark Calcavecchia, Zach Johnson, 2008 champion Sean O'Hair, Adam Scott and former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger.
