GOLF ROUNDUP : Edwards Takes Lead, but Watson Is Close

Tom Watson moved into contention and longshot Joel Edwards took over the lead Friday in the second round of the Honda Classic at Coral Springs, Fla.

Edwards, a second-year touring professional who has yet to finish higher than fourth, shot a three-under-par 69 and has a one-stroke lead at the halfway point.

“It’s a neat feeling to be in the lead, even if it’s just for one hole,” Edwards said after completing two trips over the TPC at Eagle Trace in 140, four under par.

“The golf course played within its limits today,” said Watson, who took advantage of the improved conditions to post a 69. “Yesterday it was almost over its limits into the area of being unfair.”

John Huston, another non-winner and the first-round leader, slipped to a 73 and had to one-putt for par on the last two holes to save that. He was one off the lead at 141.

Watson, once the outstanding player in the game but a slump-ridden struggler for six seasons, found some encouragement in a solid effort that left him two shots off the pace.

He was tied at 142 with J.C. Snead and Mark Brooks. Brooks had another 71 and Snead shot 70.

The only others able to break par for 36 holes were Dr. Gil Morgan and Bob Eastwood, tied at 143. Morgan matched par 72 and Eastwood had the best round of the tournament, a 67.

British Open champ Mark Calcavecchia and two-time U.S. Open winner Curtis Strange each had a place among the leaders until knocked back by some big numbers on short holes.

Toshiaki Sudo, a former Japan League baseball player, shot a four-under-par 68 and took a three-stroke lead midway through the Imperial Golf tournament at Sakuragawamura, Japan.

Sudo scored a hole-in-one on the par-3 fifth hole, along with five birdies and three bogeys on the Seve Ballesteros Golf Club. He is 138, six-under-par.

Overnight leader Toru Nakamura shot a 72 and was second at 141.