Golf Roundup : Irwin Holes Wedge Shot, Leads Memorial by a Stroke

Hale Irwin holed a 105-yard wedge shot on the way to a 4-under-par 68 that gave him a one-stroke lead Friday at the halfway point of the $1-million Memorial golf tournament at Dublin, Ohio.

Irwin, 42, whose last victory came in this event three years ago, completed two rounds at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village Golf Club course in 6-under-par 138.

Irwin, twice a U.S. Open champion and a two-time winner of this title, said: “I know it’s only the halfway point.”

But while it was the halfway point for Irwin, the week’s play was over for Nicklaus, the tournament host and founder.

Nicklaus made a double bogey on the 18th hole, had a 76 and failed to qualify for the final two rounds at 150. It marked the first time he’s missed the cut in the tournament’s 13-year history.

It also cost him an opportunity to become the first player to top $5 million in career earnings. He needs $2,450 to reach that figure, and would have been assured of at least $2,500 if he had made the cut.

The player closest to him on the all-time money-winning list, Tom Watson, also missed. He had another 76 and was at 8-over 152.

Tom Kite, rookie John Huston and South African David Frost were one stroke off the lead at 5-under 139.

South Korea’s Ok-Hee Ku had nine birdies to take a one-stroke lead over hot-shooting Sherri Turner after the second round of the $325,000 LPGA Corning tournament at Corning, N.Y.

Turner shot a 9-under-par 63, which is only one stroke short of the LPGA record shared by Mickey Wright and Vicki Fergon.

Ku, who has 15 birdies in the first two days of the tournament, finished with an 8-under 64 for a two-round total of 11-under 133--the best 36-hole score in the 10 years of the tournament.

The three-year pro, who opened the tournament with a 69, scored her first LPGA victory two months ago by winning the Turquoise tournament.

Turner opened with a par before making six straight birdies. She added four more birdies on the back nine before three-putting on the 17th for her only bogey.

Turner, a fifth-year pro, recorded her first tournament victory last week.

Defending champion Bob Charles shot a 3-under-par 69 to move into a five-way tie for the lead after the first round at the $275,000 Sunwest Bank Senior tournament at Albuquerque, N.M.

Thunder, lightning and rain forced a 59-minute suspension of play.