World number one Luke Donald lost ground in his battle with Webb Simpson for the PGA Tour money list title as the Briton carded a 1-under-par 71 in the second round of the Disney Classic at Lake Buena Vista in Florida.
Donald needs to finish no worse than in a two-way tie for second at this week's season-ending event to eclipse American Simpson at the top but he will go into Saturday's third round five shots off the pace in a tie for 14th.
Australian left-hander Nick O'Hern was fourth at 10-under after shooting a 66.
While money list leader Simpson returned a 69 to end the day level with Donald at 7-under 137, American Justin Leonard, South Korean Bio Kim and Swede Henrik Stenson took joint control.
Leonard fired a best-of-the-day 63 on the Palm course, one of two layouts hosting the event, 21-year-old PGA Tour rookie Kim carded a 65 and Stenson a 64 as the trio set the pace at 12-under 132.
For former British Open champion Leonard, this week has been a rare moment of good form in an otherwise forgettable season.
"It hasn't been a good year," said the 39-year-old who has not won since the 2008 St Jude Championship and languishes 144th in the money list.
"I'm looking forward to the year being over but it's nice to have a chance this week to finish it off on a good note. I had a fun, easy day today."
Kim, the youngest player on this year's PGA Tour, was delighted after a round highlighted by only 22 putts on the more difficult Magnolia layout.
"I putted great and 20, 30-footers went in the last two holes too," he said with a broad grin.
"I hit the ball better than (I've done in the) last couple of months so that's always good."
Kim celebrated his 21st birthday in South Korea in August when he also had surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat.
"I was a little bit scared but this is the second time getting the surgery," he said after recording eight birdies and a lone bogey. "I (also) had it when I was 11.
"I practised before I took the surgery and then had about a week when I didn't touch a club. After that it was totally fine. The doctor said I could play golf."
The cut fell at 3-under 141 with British world number 17 Justin Rose and former major winners Davis Love III, David Duval and Shaun Micheel among those missing out.
Reuters
Tags: golf, sport, united-states First posted October 22, 2011 10:46:51
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