Three-time major winner Nick Price of Zimbabwe swept to the top of the leaderboard early in the second round of the Colonial tournament in Fort worth, Texas, yesterday.
The veteran moved to five under par with just two holes play, joining Bob Tway and Steve Flesch, who were playing the last, and overnightg leader Bob Estes, who had yet to start.
They were a shot clear of Glen Day, Brian Gay and Kenny Perry.
But there was bed nes from the Buy.com tour, where Bray's Keith Nolan followed up a promising 70 in the opening round with a ruinous 77 yesterday to miss the cut by several shots.
Nolan went out in level par, but crashed to three bogeys and a double bogey to leave him with a free weekend.
Meanwhile, Irish and Walker Cup international Graeme McDowell from Rathmore was the best of UAB Blazers team in the first round of the NCAA Regionals at Ansley Golf Club's Settindown Creek.
The junior standout shot an even-par 72 and is in a nine-way tie for 12th in the individual category.
Newcomer Ryan Thomas, meanwhile, got off to a fast start at the llong and testing 7,119-yard layout before closing with a two-over par 74.