Hal Sutton mastered early morning winds and Joey Sindelar survived the rock-hard afternoon greens to earn a share of the lead after the second round of the Houston Open in Texas yesterday. Sutton and Sindelar both began the day two shots behind overnight leader Eric Booker, and both carded second consecutive 68s.

Defending champion David Duval was making a move on the leaders and reached seven-under before a double bogey seven on the par-five 15th knocked him down the leaderboard.

"I made one bad swing and it cost me, but overall I played pretty well," said Duval, whose second-round 70 left him just three shots behind the leaders.

Second Round Leaders (US unless noted): 136 - H Sutton 68 68, J Sindelar 68 68; 137 - J Gallagher 68 69; 138 - S Appleby (Aus) 70 68, O Uresti 67 71, M Weibe 69 69; 139 - K Gipson 70 69, J Kelly 71 68, D Duval 69 70, F Lickliter 71 68; 140 - N Henke 70 70, V Singh (Fiji) 71 69, J Leonard 71 69, B Watts 70 70, E Toledo (Mex) 69 71, E Booker 66 74, L Mize 70 70, C Parry (Aus) 70 70, R Gamez 71 69