CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Local favorite Webb Simpson chipped in twice on his way to a share of the lead with fellow American Robert Streb after the second round of the $7.1 million Wells Fargo Championship here Friday. Simpson, who plays at Quail Hollow Club at least once a week when he is at home, used his extensive course knowledge to card a five-under-par 67 and join first-round leader Streb (69) at 10-under 134. They were two shots clear of their nearest rivals while the two most celebrated players in the field, Rory McIlroy (67) and Phil Mickelson (66), vaulted into contention just three strokes off the pace. Simpson, the 2012 US Open champion, chipped in from 55 feet at the par-four ninth, and provided an even more impressive encore from 65 feet at the par-three 17th. “I don't think I've ever chipped in twice on tour in the same round,” he told reporters before rushing off to his mother-in-law's birthday party. Simpson, who lives adjacent to the seventh hole, felt that his course knowledge helped his comfort level at the event. “The best player is going to win this week, no matter how many times (he) has played it, but I definitely feel a little sense of comfort knowing I've been here so much,” he said. Earlier in the day, world No. 1 McIlroy followed up his Thursday night comment that the course was “there to be had” by compiling five birdies in a bogey-free round. The Northern Irishman said good driving had been the key to his score, but lamented some mediocre iron play that prevented him from piling up more birdies. “Mentally I feel very sharp,” he said. “I'm not putting myself under that much stress of having to save pars or anything.” Rookie Lee leads American rookie Alison Lee, vying to continue the youth movement on the LPGA tour this season, fired a four-under par 67 Friday to take the halfway lead in the Kingsmill Championship at Williamsburg, US. Lee's nine-under total of 133 gave her a two-stroke lead over another LPGA rookie, Australian Lee Min-jee, and France's Perrine Delacour. Lee Min-jee carded a 67 highlighted by an eagle at the par-five third hole, while Delacour posted a 68 for 135. Both Alison and Lee Min-jee are hoping to follow the example of South Korean rookie Kim Sei-young, who has already won twice this season. The leader had five birdies, her only miscue a three-putt bogey at the sixth — her 15th hole of the day after teeing off on 10. Lee Min-jee, the 18-year-old Aussie who turned pro in September after an outstanding amateur career, began the day tied for ninth, but grabbed the early clubhouse lead with her four-under effort, which also included a near-hole out for eagle at the par-five seventh, where she settled for one of her three birdies. While she has finished within the top 30 in six events in 2015, this is her best position heading into a weekend. — Agencies
