COLUMBUS, Ga., May 24 (UPI) -- Jim Thorpe and Morris Hatalsky put together solid rounds Saturday and shared the lead after the second round of the inaugural Columbus Southern Open.
Thorpe matched three others for the low round of the day by firing a 6-under-par 64 to move to 9-under 131 through 36 holes. He began the day two strokes behind first round co-leaders Bobby Wadkins and Ed Dougherty.
In 12 events this season, Thorpe has four top-10 finishes. He is seeking his sixth career title and first since capturing The Tradition in April 2002.
Hatalsky nearly matched Thorpe as he played a bogey-free round for the second straight day and signed for a 65. The 2002 Champions Tour Rookie of the Year, Hatalsky is seeking his second career title, having won the Uniting Fore Care Classic last August.
Doug Tewell matched Thorpe's round and was one of four golfers one shot back. Wayne Levi and Hubert Green also shot 64s Saturday.
Tom Jenkins, who won the Bruno's Memorial Classic earlier this month, shot a 65. He also was one stroke behind the leaders, along with Allen Doyle and Des Smyth.
Eight players were within three shots of the lead heading into Sunday's final round. Thorpe, Hatalsky and Tewell all will play in the final group.
Bob Gilder, who has four top-10 finishes in his last five starts, stumbled to a 5-over 75 after carding a 67 in Friday's opening round.
After shooting a 65 in the opening round, Dougherty carded a 69 and was three shots back of Thorpe and Hatalsky. Wadkins struggled to a 71, putting him five strokes behind the leaders.
