Rookie leads on PGA Tour

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., March 4 (UPI) -- Rookie Kyle Stanley shot a 4-under 66 Friday that lifted him into a one-shot lead over Rory Sabbatini midway through the Honda Classic.

Scoring conditions remained difficult at the PGA National course in Palm Gardens, Fla., but Stanley produced six birdies in a bid for his first tour victory. He finished 36 holes at 6-under 134.

After earning his way onto the circuit by finishing ninth in the tour's qualifying tournament, Stanley has played in six events this year. He has made the cut in all of them.

Sabbatini had the low round of the tournament, a 6-under 64 that put him at 135 for the event. Charl Schwartzel, whose play on the European Tour has moved him into the top 25 in the world rankings, was alone in third at 137.

Only eight players broke par in the opening round Thursday and there were 20 sub-par rounds fired Friday. A mere 12 players were under par through 36 holes.

Ricky Barnes, Jerry Kelly, Stuart Appleby and Tommy Gainey were at 2-under 138 while Matt Kuchar, Y.E. Yang, Gary Woodland, world No. 2 Lee Westwood and first-round leader Spencer Levin were at 139.

It took a score of 6-over 146 to make the cut. Rory McIlroy survived at 144, Ian Poulter was at 145 and Ernie Els barely made it at 146.

Those missing the cut included Anthony Kim, Rickie Fowler, Vijay Singh and defending champion Camilo Villegas, who shot rounds of 79-78. Johnson Wagner, who defeated Levin in a playoff to win a tour event in Mexico last week, also missed the cut.