Australian Stuart Appleby fired a second-round 65 to share the early second round lead in the $4 million Western Open at Cog Hill GC near Chicago yesrerday.
Appleby was joined on nine-under-par by Fiji's Vijay Singh, who shot a five-under 67.
Robert Allenby, Scott Verplank, Jerry Kelly, Joe Durant and Neal Lancaster are tied for third place.
First-round leader David Gossett is two shots off the lead after remaining even through the first six holes of his second round.
The cut is projected to be one-under-par.
On Thursday, Gossett beat the rainstorm to shoot a seven-under-par 65. Thanks to a rain delay of three hours 20 minutes, only 106 of the 156 players finished their opening round.
Gossett, the 1999 US Amateur champion, took advantage of ideal scoring conditions during his morning round, off-setting two bogeys with nine birdies, including seven in an 11-hole span.
"It was a great start to my first Western Open," said the 23-year-old.
"I had an exciting round of nine birdies, two bogeys, and it was an eventful day."
Among those in contention was 24-year-old Jonathan Byrd, a team-mate of Gossett's on the 1999 Walker Cup, who shot a five-under 67 to tie veteran John Cook for second as the tour's inexperienced players continue to make their mark.
Tour veteran Bob Estes was alone in second following a 66 after enjoying a bogey-free round despite being one of the last players on the course.
Leading first round Scores: 65 - D Gossett 66- B Estes 67- J Byrd, J Cook, D Frost (Rsa), JKelly, D Love III, S Verplank 68 - N Begay III, T Byrum, L Donald (Eng), JDurant, B Hughes (Aus), P Jordan, NLancaster, F Langham, K Perry, L Porter, VSingh (Fij), D Toms 69 - R Allenby (Aus), G Day, J Edwards, SGangluff, B Gay, P Gow (Aus), Bt Jobe, JLeonard, B McCallister, S McCarron, R Mediate,S Micheel, T Pernice Jr, J Sindelar
