GOLF ROUNDUP : Springer Bounces Into Lead With Birdies

Mike Springer opened with five birdies on his way to a nine-under-par 63 for the second-round lead Friday in the Atlanta Classic.

Springer, 25, a former University of Arizona player who last year competed on the Ben Hogan Tour, had a 36-hole score of 13-under 131 on the 7,018-yard Atlanta Country Club course in Marietta, Ga. His nine birdies on Friday helped him take a one-shot lead over Tom Kite, who had a 68.

“It’s kind of nice to birdie half the holes,” Springer said.

He could have birdied more, missing three putts of 10 feet or less. He had only one putt of more than 20 feet, a 35-footer with a big break that he got within five feet to save par on the seventh hole.

First-round leader Fred Funk took a double-bogey six on the first hole and skied to a 77 on the heels of his opening-round 62.

Tammie Green aced the 146-yard 16th hole on the way to a 66 and a one-stroke lead after two rounds of a $400,000 LPGA tournament at Chesapeake, Va.

One stroke back was Elaine Crosby, who shot her second consecutive 69.

Lee Trevino, despite a double-bogey six on the 18th hole, shot a four-under-par 67 for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Reunion Pro-Am tournament at Frisco, Tex.

Jim Ferree, 59, sank a three-iron shot from 225 yards for the tour’s first double-eagle of the year and a 68, one shot ahead of defending champion Frank Beard, Tommy Aaron, Gibby Gilbert and Jim O’Hern.

Eduardo Romero of Argentina matched Seve Ballesteros’ day-old course record with a 63 and took a two-shot lead over Ballesteros in the Spanish Open at Madrid. Ballesteros shot a 70.