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Charles Schwab Cup: Paul Goydos takes one-stroke lead

By The Sports Xchange
Paul Goydos holds a one-stroke lead at the Charles Schwab Cup. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Paul Goydos holds a one-stroke lead at the Charles Schwab Cup. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Paul Goydos escaped with a three-way tie after the opening 18 holes to gain sole possession of a one-stroke lead on Saturday after the second round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix.

Goydos, who is the tournament's defending champion, broke free from majors winners Lee Janzen and Fiji's Vijay Singh to shoot a 5-under-par 66 on Saturday to reside at 12-under 130 at the Phoenix Country Club. He owns a one-shot lead over Janzen (67) and a two-stroke advantage over Kevin Sutherland (63) and former Arizona State player Billy Mayfair (65).

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South African David Frost (65), David Toms (67) and Glen Day (68) reside in a three-way tie for fifth place.

Bernhard Langer, who is trying to finish off a sweep of the three PGA Champions Tour playoff events, shot a 68 on Saturday and sits in a tie for 22nd place. The 60-year-old German is vying to win the Charles Schwab Cup season points title for the fourth straight year and fifth overall.

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After collecting seven birdies on a bogey-free first round, Goydos recorded his sixth birdie on Saturday by sinking a 7-foot putt on the par-4 16th hole to move into the lead.

Goydos emerged victorious last year at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, about 35 miles northeast of downtown Phoenix. The 53-year-old is bidding to join Mike Hill, Jim Thorpe and John Cook as the only players to win the season finale in consecutive years.

Janzen, who is a two-time U.S. Open champion, moved into sole possession of second place after sinking a birdie putt on the par-5 18th. He is looking for his second career Champions title after winning in 2015.

Sutherland highlighted his stellar second round with an eagle on the 18. The 53-year-old is the lone player to shoot 59 in senior tour history.

Mayfair remained in the thick of it with six birdies during his bogey-free round on Saturday.

Singh, who shot a 64 in the opening round, fell out of favor with double-bogeys on the second and fourth holes to finish with a 72 on Saturday. He resides in a tie for 13th place.

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