MADISON, Miss., July 14 (UPI) -- Brendon de Jonge, playing some of the best golf of his PGA Tour career, shot a 7-under 65 Thursday that gave him a share of the lead at the Viking Classic.
Tim Petrovic, John Mallinger, Peter Lonard and Sunghoon Kang also shot a 65 as players seeking to improve their status on the tour try to take advantage while the sport's stars are competing in the British Open.
A high finish at last week's John Deere Classic might have earned de Jonge a spot in the British Open, but he faded into a tie for seventh after beginning the final round in second place.
He has yet to win on the PGA Tour, although he has two Top 10 finishes this year and is among the 60 leading money winners.
Among the six co-leaders, only Lonard and Petrovic have won on the tour.
Nine players were tied for seventh at 66, including Kenny Perry and Tom Pernice Jr.
The highest-ranked player in the field is No. 89 John Senden, who shot a 69.
