Sluman's birdies forge tie with Couples

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BILOXI, Miss., March 24 (UPI) -- Jeff Sluman sank four straight birdies Saturday, forging a tie with Fred Couples atop the leaderboard after two rounds of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic.

Sluman's performance on the back nine allowed him to go into the clubhouse with an 8-under-par 64, good for 11-under-par 133 after 36 holes at Fallen Oak.

He was joined there by Couples, who racked up six birdies but also notched four bogeys to finish with a 70 Saturday.

Both golfers also had to finish their first rounds earlier in day after a weather delay of more than 4 hours set the tournament back Friday.

Holding down third place two shots further back at minus-9 was Jim Thorpe, who fired a 7-under 65. Chien Soon Lu, John Huston and Bobby Clampett all shot 69s to share fourth at 8-under 136.