Golf: Van Pelt moves three clear at rain-hit Wachovia

ATLANTA - American Bo Van Pelt charged into a three-shot lead at the Wachovia Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina today before rain curtailed second-round play midway through the afternoon.

Van Pelt birdied the first two holes on the way to a record-equalling eight-under-par 64, ending a damp morning at Quail Hollow Club on a tournament best aggregate of 10-under 134.

The 30-year-old from Indiana, chasing his first title on the PGA Tour, mixed nine birdies with a solitary bogey at the par-four fourth to finish three strokes ahead of 2003 US Open champion Jim Furyk.

One of four leaders overnight after opening with a 68, Furyk returned a 69 after bogeying two of his last three holes.

Play was suspended for 90 minutes in the afternoon because of thunderstorms and eventually called off for the day following a half-hour resumption with 74 players yet to complete their rounds.

"It's a tough golf course, and you don't want to feel like you're playing catch up," Van Pelt told reporters after matching the tournament record 64 set by compatriot Kirk Triplett in 2004.

"I just hit a bunch of fairways and a bunch of greens, and the speed is everything on these greens.

"I just try to get better every day, and I figure the results will take care of themselves," he added of his bid to claim a breakthrough Tour victory.

"I figure if I keep giving myself chances, one of those Sundays is going to be my day."

Furyk was satisfied with his round, despite bogeying 16 and 17.

"I felt like I drove the ball very, very well today," the 35-year-old American said. "I had a little bit more control of my game and drove it well, hit my irons better.

"The score was one worse than yesterday, but it was a good round of golf and I got myself in good position for the weekend."

Davis Love III was alone in third place at six under after carding a second successive 69 while holder Vijay Singh was a stroke further back after a 68 that featured five birdies in his last eight holes.

"I got my driver going today and, if you drive the ball well here, you can give yourself chances at birdies like I did today," Fijian Singh said.

South African Rory Sabbatini, among the four pacesetters at the start of the day, slipped back to three under after bogeys on 16 and at the last gave him a 73.

Of the other big names, Ernie Els was at two under after shooting a 71 and Spaniard Sergio Garcia at one under after a 69.

Garcia, who was edged out by Fijian Singh in a three-way playoff for last year's title, had been in danger of not qualifying for the weekend after opening with a 74.

The halfway cut was projected to fall at two-over 146.

Of the players left stranded on the course when rain cut short the second day, US Masters champion Phil Mickelson was three under after 11 holes, level with twice US Open winner Retief Goosen, after 14.

South African Trevor Immelman and American Bill Haas, the other leaders overnight, were at four under and five under. Immelman had completed 15 holes and Haas eight.

- REUTERS