Bettencourt leads by one at halfway in Nationwide Tour Players Cup

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BRIDGEPORT, W. Va. -- Like most players in the field at the $1 million Nationwide Tour Players Cup, Matt Bettencourt doesn't want to think about what a win in the big-money tournament might mean. Bettencourt, a 33-year-old Californian who has never finished higher than third in his career, moved into the lead at the halfway point and established himself as the man to beat over the final 36 holes at the Pete Dye Golf Club.

Matt Bettencourt is at the top of the field in putting through two rounds. (Martin/Getty Images)

Inside the Numbers

Bettencourt thru 36 Holes

Category Total Rank Eagles 0 N/A Birdies 16 1 Pars 14 69 Bogeys 6 T8 Driving Accuracy 89.3% T18 Driving Distance 294.5 yds. 10 Greens in Regulation 72.2% T36 Putts per Round 26.0 1

Bettencourt posted a career-best, 8-under-par 64 in the second round and moved to the top of leaderboard in the Tour's richest event ever. The former baseball player-turned-golfer is at 10-under 134 and one shot in front of first-day leader Rick Price (71). Chris Anderson (69), Greg Chalmers (68), Josh Broadaway (65) and 23-year old Canadian Tour member James Love (68) are two back in the chase for the $180,000 first-place check.

"You obviously think about it," said Bettencourt, who is No. 92 on the season money list to date. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't, but right now I can't think about that. I'm just going to go out and try to put myself in a position to have a chance on the back nine on Sunday. That's all I can ask for."

That's all anyone wants.

Bettencourt is in the best position after 36 holes thanks to some pinpoint accuracy -- he hit all 14 fairways Friday -- and a solid putter that netted him the longest birdie putt of his professional career -- a whopping 80-footer.

"Hands down it was the best club in the bag today," he said after tallying 26 putts for the second straight day.

Bettencourt, who has only two top-10 finishes in his 64 career starts, has never been better than a tie for sixth at the halfway point of any his pro tournaments. Recent work with an old friend who became his caddie five weeks ago has the recently moved South Carolinian filled with confidence.

"It's coming together," he said. "It's a work in progress. It takes time. It's not something that will snap together overnight."

Bettencourt is the overnight leader after two rounds or the first time in his career and chased by Price, who closed his 1-under round with 10 consecutive pars.

"I had at least three good shots at birdie from eight to 10 feet. Two of them lipped out after it looked like they going right in," said Price, who leads the tournament in greens in regulation (32 of 36). "That was how my day went. I just wasn't able to make as many putts today. Any time you can shoot 9 under for two days, wherever you're playing, that's good golf."

Second-Round Notes: Lift, clean and place conditions were in effect for the second straight day. ... Kris Blanks, winner of the Bank of America Open and No. 7 on the money list, withdrew during the second round due to an ankle injury. ... Gibby Gilbert Jr. withdrew prior to the start of the second round. ... A total of 69 players in the original field of 144 made the 36-hole cut, which came at 1-under 143. ... Saturday's groupings will be in threesomes off the first and 10th tees starting at approximately 8:30 a.m.