Golf Roundup : Longshot Jones Has TPC Lead

Longshot Steve Jones moved into the overnight lead Friday in the weather-plagued Tournament Players Championship as half the field was again forced to halt play at Ponte Vedra, Fla.

For the second day in a row, severe weather made it impossible for 72 players to complete play.

They marked their positions on the rain-soaked Tournament Players Club course at Sawgrass and will return at 7:30 a.m. today to complete second-round play. The third round will follow immediately--weather permitting.

Jones, who hasn’t finished higher than sixth in more than three full years of PGA Tour activity, was among the players left on the course by a series of storms Thursday.

Early Friday, he holed out from off the green three consecutive times on the way to a one-stroke overnight lead in the $1-million tournament that ranks as the touring pros’ own championship.

Jones finished off a first-round 66 with a 94-yard pitch-in for an eagle.

Less than 30 minutes later, he opened second-round play with a 20-foot putt from the fringe for a birdie on No. 1, then holed a 50-foot bunker shot for another birdie on No. 2.

That propelled him to a 67 and a 133 total, 11 under par.

Scott Simpson, who shot a second-round 65, was at 134, and then came Brad Fabel (68) at 135 and Curt Byrum (68) at 137.

Australian Greg Norman, who had an opening 67, was among the group unable to finish. He remained five under par after seven holes of the second round.

Dave Stockton and South African Nick Price had the best scores of those still on the course. Price was six under par through nine holes, Stockton six under through eight.

Penny Pulz, playing consistent golf, led by two strokes after the second round of the $300,000 LPGA Turquoise tournament at Phoneix as late scores ballooned in winds gusting to 45 m.p.h.

Pulz, who shared the first-round lead with rookie Martha Foyer, canned a 25-footer for a birdie 3 on No. 6 and had 17 pars for a one-under-par 72 and a 36-hole total of 141.

Cindy Ferro shot a 69 and is second at 143.

Three shots off the pace were Barb Bunkowsky (71) and Dawn Coe (72). Foyer had a 78 for a 147.