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Glover leads Zurich Classic

New Orleans - While Chinese prodigy Guan Tianlang stunningly made his second consecutive cut on the PGA Tour, American Lucas Glover surged into a one-shot lead in Friday's second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Former US Open champion Glover maintained red-hot form with his putter at the rain-softened TPC Louisiana, firing a five-under-par 67 after teeing off on a relatively calm morning in Avondale, Louisiana.

Seeking his first PGA Tour victory in nearly two years, the 33-year-old rolled in an 18-foot birdie putt on his final hole, the par-five 18th, to post a 12-under total of 132.

Fellow American Boo Weekley, who holed out from 105 yards to eagle his opening hole, the par-four 10th, was alone in second after carding a 68 with compatriot D.A. Points a further stroke back, also after a 68.

Four-time major winner Ernie Els was four shots off the pace after shooting a 69 while China's 14-year-old Guan once again caught the attention of the golfing world as he ended the round at three-under 141, right on the cutline.

"I think I played a very good round today," eighth-grade schoolboy Guan, who became the youngest player to make the cut in a major championship at the Masters two week ago, told Golf Channel after mixing five birdies with two bogeys on the way to a 69.

"I made a lot of birdies and got a couple of good up-and-downs, so it was still a pretty good round."

Asked what his goals were for the weekend, Guan replied: "Play my best golf to go further."

Guan's remarkably poised display in front of large galleries at the TPC Louisiana took some of the limelight away from Glover, who was delighted to be in contention for his first PGA Tour title since the 2011 Wells FargoChampionship.

"I am excited," Glover told Golf Channel after taking early control in the second round with eight birdies and three bogeys.

"I haven't been here in a while. I haven't been in this position in a long time so it will be nice to get some rest this afternoon and just keep doing what I am doing."

Glover, who clinched his only major title at the 2009 US Open, made a fast start with five birdies in his first seven holes, building on the welcome confidence he had gained with his putter in the opening round.

"It was good," the three-time PGA Tour champion said. "It just kind of piled on from yesterday. I made some (putts) early and got the confidence up.

"I had some hiccups but nothing too bad. It's not easy out there now, it's a little breezy, but it was there for the taking this morning."

Asked how it felt after posting back-to-back low rounds at the TPC Louisiana, Glover replied: "It's just steps. Yesterday was a good step, today was a good step.

"You just keep piling on confidence, trying to do the right things, take advantage when you get a good number and be aggressive when you choose to be.

"So I am just trying to build my confidence right now and make as many birdies as I can when I am able."

British world No 4 Justin Rose, the highest-ranked player in the field, returned a 69 to sit five strokes off the lead at seven-under, one better than 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson, who fired a best-of-the-day 65.

Defending champion Jason Dufner, who clinched last year's New Orleans title in a playoff with South African Els, carded a 70 to squeeze through right on the cutline.

Seventy professionals and amateur Guan advanced to the weekend, with former major winners Keegan Bradley, Lee Janzen, Mike Weir and Justin Leonard among those who missed out.
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