Big Lead Gets Booker Some Attention

This doesn’t look like a weekend for the PGA’s elite; the leaderboard at the Honda Classic at Coral Springs, Fla., is a list of who’s he instead of who’s who.

Eric Booker, a 35-year-old tour rookie, has a four-shot lead after a six-under-par 66 gave him a two-round total of 13-under 131.

Tied for second at 135 were three players with no better name recognition than Booker: Doug Dunakey, another 35-year-old rookie, whose 65 was the best score in the second round; Dicky Pride, who lost his tour card for two years and missed five consecutive cuts before this week; and Bradley Hughes, a former Australian Rules Football player.

First-round leader Hal Sutton shot a one-over 73 and was six shots behind at 137 with Payne Stewart. Defending Masters and British Open champion Mark O’Meara shot 71 for a 139.

Ernie Els shot 73-143, barely making the cut. Nick Faldo missed it at 71-144, as did Nick Price at 76-146.

“There’s going to be the question of how this Booker guy is going to play on the weekend,” he said. “I’m kind of curious myself. Somebody has to win the tournament, and it might as well be me.”

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Nancy Scranton shot a seven-under 65 to share the lead with Dale Eggeling at nine-under 135 after two rounds in the Welch’s-Circle K Championship at Tucson.

They were one shot ahead of two players who have mastered the 6,222-yard Randolph Park North layout--defending champion Helen Alfredsson, who also shot 67, and 1995 winner Dottie Pepper. She was one of four co-leaders when the second round began, and carded a 69.

Se Ri Pak and Hiromi Kobayashi, who shared the lead with Pepper and Ashli Price-Bunch, were in a group of nine at 139.

Karrie Webb, the LPGA Tour leader in money won, scoring, eagles and birdies after two victories in four events, had a 69 Friday--her 13th below-par score in 17 rounds this year--for a 143 total.