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By John Bush
PGA TOUR Staff

BRIDGEPORT, W. Va. -- Following up a 63 can be a daunting task, but PGA TOUR rookie Parker McLachlin was up to the challenge on Friday with a 4-under 68 at the National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic presented by Northrop Grumman. At 13-under 131 after two rounds, he holds a three-shot lead over Edward Loar (64) at the Nationwide Tour's 24th event.

This the first-ever 36-hole lead for Parker McLachlin on either the PGA TOUR or Nationwide Tour. (WireImage)

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

McLACHLIN THRU 36 HOLES

Category Total Rank Eagles 0 N/A Birdies 15 1 Pars 19 T51 Bogeys 2 T65 Double Bogeys 0 N/A Other 0 N/A Driving Accuracy 82.1% T41 Driving Distance 308.5 yds. T7 Greens in Regulation 86.1% T2 Putts per Round 28.0 T13 Putts per GIR 1.613 T8 Sand Saves 0.0 T30

• Parker McLachlin's Player Page

McLachlin continues to make easy work of the par-72 Pete Dye Golf Club, recording six birdies and two bogeys as he continues his quest for his first career victory on the Nationwide Tour.

"I'm hitting the ball really solid and my iron play has been sharp," said McLachlin, a 28-year-old native of Honolulu. "I didn't really have any long birdie putts today."

In addition to the golf course, McLachlin and the rest of the players had to battle the elements during the second round. Temperatures reached 94 degrees, with a heat index of 104.

"It was so hot out there," said McLachlin, who finished 29th on the 2006 Nationwide Tour money list. "My caddie had to be taken off the course on No. 5 ... because he was cramping up so bad. There was just no air moving. But it is just another element you have to deal (with). The more you pay attention to it, the more it will affect you."

Having missed out on finishing among the top 144 players who advanced through the FedExCup and into the first-ever PGA TOUR Playoffs, McLachlin is using this week to keep his game tuned up for when he tees it up again at the Turning Stone Resort Championship in late September. His game was plenty sharp on Friday, as he followed up four pars to start the round with six birdies over the next 12 holes.

"I think I had some early-round jitters on those first four holes, but my goal was to play them in even par," said McLachlin, who enjoyed a season-best 16th-place finish at the AT&T Classic. "Then I switched the green light on at the par-5 14th hole (his fifth of the day). It was time to get it going at that point."

Speaking of making a move, Loar made a huge leap in the standings by posting the round of the day with an 8-under 64 -- highlighted by a 40-foot birdie on the par-5 second hole and a 12-footer for eagle on the par-5 sixth hole.

"I hit the ball extremely well except for one loose shot on the last hole that led to my only bogey," said Loar, who went through four golf gloves due to the heat. "If you could say that there was ever an easy 64, then this is it."

Loar's rookie season has been a struggle up to this point. He sits No. 205 on the money list with just $8,166, having made three cuts in 12 starts entering the week.

"My game has actually been pretty good, but my course management has been terrible," said Loar, who hit 12 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens in regulation. "I've just been giving away too many shots. Luckily, I haven't been giving them away so far this week."

Several other players also made significant moves up the leaderboard on Friday. Australian Matthew Jones posted a 5-under 67 to move into a tie for third place with David Hearn (70) at 9-under 135, while Chris Thompson equaled the round of the day with a bogey-free 64 to move into the top 15.

"I'm hitting a lot of fairways and greens this week, which I haven't been doing a lot of lately," said Jones, who hit 12 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens in regulation. "But every year the key for me is putting. I'm just not making any putts. But I switched to a new putter recently and that has helped. I'm hitting it the same as I have been, but I'm making putts this week."

Second-Round News & Notes: The cut came at 1-under 143, with 72 players advancing to the weekend. At 2-over 146, Roland Thatcher's Tour-leading consecutive cuts made streak was snapped at 10 events. PGA TOUR rookie Jim Rutledge is the new leader with eight consecutive cuts made. ... Tommy Tolles (71) birdied the final five holes to make the cut on the number. ... The 14 player who failed to complete their opening round were back in position at 8:00 a.m. on Friday. The round was officially completed at 8:30 a.m. ... The shot of the day was turned in by Jeremy Pope with a hole-in-one on No. 7, hitting a 4-iron from 222 yards. It was the 22nd ace of the season and the first ever at the NMA Pete Dye Classic. ... This marks the first time in Parker McLachlin's career that he has held the second-round lead. ... Through the first 23 events, eight players have carried the second-round lead on to victory, including most recently Brad Elder at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open. ... Friday produced four bogey-free rounds by Chris Thompson (64), Brad Elder (67), Brad Ott (69) and Jimmy Walker (70). The total for the week now stands at seven. ... 2006 NMA Pete Dye Classic champion Jason Enloe is 2-under through the first two rounds. ... Jason Day (flu-like symptoms) and Dennis Paulson (rib injury) withdrew prior to the start of the second round, while Guy Boros (back and knee problems) and John Riegger (heat) withdrew during the round.