Pate shrugs off ugly shot, takes lead at Senior PGA Championship

The ball sprayed wildly off Jerry Pate's 4-iron, a fat slice as wicked and as dreadful-looking as any an amateur can hit. Skittering barely 80 yards, it was the kind of shot that can unnerve even an accomplished pro and undo an excellent round.

"That was the worst golf shot I've ever hit as a professional, bar none, other than whiffing the ball," Pate said. "It was ugly."

Rather that ruining his second round at the Senior PGA Championship in Ligonier, Pa., on Friday, it launched Pate into probably his best competitive round since the early 1980s -- a 4-under 68 that gave him a two-day total of 6-under 138 and one-shot lead.

Pate shook off his awful shot and the bogey it created on the par-5 No. 18 at Laurel Valley Golf Club to break from a crowded pack on a day when a dozen shared or owned the lead at some point.

"It's been 20 years," the 51-year-old Pate said, referring to the last time he was in contention in a PGA tournament. "That's a long time."

Pate followed up a 2-under 70 Thursday to lead R.W. Eaks (70) by one shot and Mark McNulty (66) and Mike Reid (70) by two shots. Hajime Meshiai, a 12-time Japanese Tour winner who has never been in contention in an American tournament, had a second-round 71 and is joined by Dave Barr (72) and Tom McKnight (72) at three off the lead.

Pate was an eight-time PGA Tour winner, but stopped playing regularly in 1982 because of a left shoulder injury. He worked as a color analyst on golf telecasts, started a golf course design business and even went back to Alabama to finish his degree, joining his daughter in the 2001 graduation ceremony.

He started playing again after becoming eligible for the Champions Tour, though another left shoulder operation -- his fourth -- temporarily delayed his return. He had seven Top 10 finishes in 27 tournaments and twice finished second in 2004, and was in contention in two tournaments this year, but still hasn't won since the 1982 Tournament Players Championship.

Defending champion Hale Irwin was a shot off the lead Thursday before skidding to a 3-over 75, leaving him six shots back.

PGA Tour

Justin Leonard took advantage of firm fairways at the TPC at Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., for some extra length off the tee and shot a 5-under 65 Friday, extending his lead to five strokes after the second round of the St. Jude Classic.

He had six birdies and his first bogey for a 13-under 127 total. Leonard, who led by two strokes after one round, matched the low 36-hole total on tour this year by Joe Ogilvie at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Fredric Jacobson shot a 65 and was at 8-under 132. Paul Goydos (66) was another stroke back in third.