Laird takes sole lead at Sawgrass
Scotland’s Martin Laird held the outright lead at eight under par after seven holes of his Players Championship second round at Sawgrass.
The US-based Glaswegian, whose opening 65 matched that of England’s Ian Poulter, birdied the long second and 471-yard fifth, but bogeyed the fourth.
Poulter, among the later starters, was alone in second, one stroke ahead of Korean Charlie Wi, who went to the turn in a dazzling 31, and Americans Jonathan Byrd and Blake Adams.
Londoner Brian Davis hit back from an opening bogey with birdies at three and four to stand five under and joint sixth, while Padraig Harrington – yet to resume – was three under, Lee Westwood two under after six, playing partner Luke Donald one under and world number one Rory McIlroy level par.
That was the expected cut mark, which left Tiger Woods probably needing a 70 to survive later in the day.
Alongside McIlroy was England’s Justin Rose thanks to four birdies in his first six holes following a desperately disappointing 76 yesterday.
