Stiles Leads by One After His Second 66

Darron Stiles made a 10-foot birdie putt on his final hole to shake free from the crowded pack in the Buick Championship at Cromwell, Conn.

Stiles shot his second consecutive four-under-par 66 on Friday to take a one-stroke edge over Peter Lonard. There are 25 players within four strokes of the lead -- including three who have won on the TPC at River Highlands.

Lonard followed his opening 65 with a 68, with former Hartford champions Stewart Cink (65) and Notah Begay III (66) at six under, two behind Stiles, along with Scott Verplank (69) and Todd Fischer (68). Another former champion, Brent Geiberger (68), was in a group of six at five under.

“I’m not playing those guys. I’m playing the golf course,” Stiles said. “Whoever beats the golf course the best over those 36 holes is going to win.”

Stiles is looking for his first win since joining the PGA Tour in 2003. He tied for ninth twice last year.

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David Edwards, looking for his first Champions Tour victory, shot a nine-under 63 in the first round of the Greater Kansas City Golf Classic at Overland Park, Kan.

That was good enough to give him a two-shot lead over a group of four golfers that includes last week’s runner-up, Tom Jenkins.

Arnold Palmer, 76, withdrew from next week’s U.S. Senior Open because his game is not up to his standards, the second time this year he has pulled out of a senior major.