Rookie leads PGA playoff event

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Rookie Webb Simpson shot a 3-under 68 in difficult scoring conditions Friday and became the surprising 36-hole leader at The Barclays.

Simpson has played in 30 tournaments this year without a victory and began the first of the PGA Tour's four playoff events ranked 85th on the FedEx Cup points list. A win this week could vault him all the way to second place and put him in contention to win the $10 million prize that goes to the playoff champion.

He had a two-day total of 8-under 134 at the Liberty National Golf Club, two shots in front of Paul Goydos and Steve Marino. Fredrik Jacobson and Heath Slocum shared fourth place at 138, and Steve Stricker was among those at 139. Stricker is second behind Tiger Woods on the points list.

Woods settled for a 72 Friday and was tied for 17th at even par 142.

High winds and steady rain plagued those with early tee times Friday. Although the rains eventually stopped, the wind blew all day and made the par-71 course a much tougher test than during the opening round.

It took a score of 5-over 147 to survive the 36-hole cut. Phil Mickelson will play on the weekend after shooting a 145.

Among those missing the cut were defending FedEx Cup champion Vijay Singh, Masters winner Angel Cabrera and U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover.