HUMBLE, Texas, April 2 (UPI) -- Bryce Moulder, who is closing in on 100 PGA Tour appearances without a victory, took the lead Friday at the midway point of the Houston Open.
Moulder equaled the low round of the tournament with a 6-under 66 that gave him a two-day total of 9-under 135 at the Redstone Golf Club. He is playing in his 89th career event and his best finish has been a tie for second last year in Memphis.
Moulder has three top-10 efforts this year.
Rookies Cameron Percy and Alex Prugh shared second place at 136 in the final tour stop prior to the playing of the Masters. Prugh also had a 66.
Kevin Stadler, who shared the first round lead with Percy, was tied for fourth at 137 with Anthony Kim, Lee Westwood and Joe Ogilvie. Padraig Harrington was among those at 138.
Phil Mickelson, who put himself in contention with a 69 Thursday, stumbled to a 76 Friday in a round that included a triple-bogey at the par-4 seventh. The left-handed Mickelson had to attempt his second shot on that hole right-handed after his tee shot came to rest against a tree trunk.
His attempt failed when the ball bounced off the tree and hit him, bringing about a one-shot penalty. Mickelson had to take another penalty to drop out of a hazard.
