Henke Shoots a 66, Ties Strange for Phoenix Open Lead

Nolan Henke had a bogey-free, five-under-par 66 Friday to tie Curtis Strange for the second-round lead of the Phoenix Open, which for the second consecutive day was suspended because of darkness.

Henke, who had a 65 Thursday to trail leader Steve Jones by two strokes, started the second round on the back nine. He birdied Nos. 11, 15, 1, 3 and 7 for an 11-under 131 total at the midway mark of the $1-million tournament.

Henke finished his round before play was halted at 5:54 p.m. with 33 golfers on the course--including Jones, who was 10 under with one hole left.

The second round started 1 hour 15 minutes late because of morning frost on the 6,992-yard TPC course. The first round was delayed by one hour by the same problem.

The 144-man field was scheduled to be trimmed to the low 70s and ties Friday, but the cut now will be made after the second round is completed this morning.

Strange, who had a first-round 64, was among the early starters Friday and made the turn at nine under before bogeying No. 11.

He sank a six-foot birdie putt on the 13th hole, a 30-footer on No. 14 and a 15-footer on 15 to go 11 under. He then parred the last three holes.

Mark Lye and Gil Morgan each were in the clubhouse at 133. Lye’s 64 featured a six-under 29 on the back nine with six consecutive birdies, and Morgan shot 67.

Jones had an eagle on the par-15 15th hole to go 10 under and barely had completed the 17th hole when play was suspended.

Strange, who will turn 36 Wednesday, is seeking the 18th title of his 15-year PGA career and first in the Phoenix Open. He hasn’t won since the 1989 U.S. Open and his best finish last year was a fourth-place tie in the Nestle Invitational.

Henke’s only victory in three years on the tour was last season’s B.C. Open.

Sunday’s winner earns $180,000, and the runner-up gets $108,000.