McNulty heads Charity Classic field
Ireland’s Mark McNulty claimed a one-stroke lead at the Regions Charity Classic after a second-round 68 in Birmingham, Alabama.
McNulty, who had shared the lead with Keith Fergus, Tom McKnight and Scott Simpson after round one, moved to 10-under 134 with 18 holes to play.
McNulty was closely followed by Dick Mast and Brad Bryant in the Champions Tour event.
Last year, McNulty finished four shots behind champion DA Weibring, who finished at one under for the second successive day and was tied for 29th.
“I didn’t play as nicely as I did yesterday even though I had more birdies today,” McNulty said. “I’m glad to be in the lead.”
Mast signed for a six-under-par 66 while Bryant carded a 67.
Mast, whose best senior circuit finish was a tie for fifth at Turtle Bay last season, started with a bogey at the first but gained four on the front nine. Coming in he had just one birdie, at the par-five 13th, and closed his bogey-free round with five consecutive pars.
“I am hitting the ball better than yesterday and rolling it better,” Mast said.
“This is my second event out here in 2006 and my fourth overall. I set my goal to win a tournament and was thinking about it today.”
David Edwards vaulted up the leaderboard with a seven-under 65 and was alone in fourth at eight-under 136.
“Anytime you can shoot 65, that’s good,” Edwards said.
“I was a little impatient yesterday. This course, combined with the wind, you have to be a little more patient.”
Loren Roberts (67), who won the first three Champions Tour events of the season, and Des Smyth (68) were tied for fifth with first-round leaders Scott Simpson (70) and Tom McKnight (70).
