Riley, Toms share midpoint lead at elite NEC Invitational

AKRON, Ohio -- The only thing Chris Riley knew about Firestone was that it usually took a score of about 12 under par to win, and the trophy always went to Tiger Woods.

It might not be that simple this year.

As the wind and rough sent Woods to a sloppy finish and his worst score in 22 rounds at Firestone, Riley and David Toms pulled away with pars to share the lead going into the weekend at the NEC Invitational.

Riley and Toms each had a 3-under 67 and were the only players to break par among the final dozen who teed off late Friday afternoon as Firestone turned crusty and brown, and turned par into a prized possession on the closing holes.

They were at 7-under 133, one shot ahead of Fred Funk, who had a 62, and Vijay Singh.

Woods, shot a 72 to end his streak of 13 consecutive rounds of par or better at Firestone, where he has won the last three times. The 72 matched his worst score; he also had one in 1997.

Darren Clarke, one of a half-dozen players to have a share of the lead on Friday, was at 8 under with a par-eagle-birdie start, but he also dropped two shots on the final four holes. He shot 70 and was at 135, along with Brad Faxon (67).

Champions Tour

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Bruce Lietzke, the only double winner on the Champions Tour this year, shot a 6-under 65 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead in the Allianz Championship.

Don Pooley and David Eger were tied for second at 66. Eger was 7 under through 17 holes, but his chance for the lead disappeared with a double bogey on 18.

LPGA Tour

KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Meg Mallon shot a 6-under 66 Friday and took a three-stroke lead over Kim Saiki and Janice Moodie on Friday after two rounds of the Wachovia LPGA Classic.

Mallon was at 10-under 134 after two trips around the Berkleigh Country Club course.

U.S. Amateur

OAKMONT, Pa. -- There was no letdown for Casye Wittenberg, David Oh, or for Lee Williams. Nick Flanagan showed adolescence and naiveté can be assets even in a pressure cooker of a tournament unlike any he has ever seen.

On a day youth, freshness and skill separated themselves from experience and savvy at storied Oakmont Country Club, the U.S. Amateur became a kids' game again Friday after a surprising run by three veterans nicknamed the Geezers.

All four quarterfinal winners in the most difficult-to-win amateur are 22 or younger, including two teens, the 19-year-old Flanagan and 18-year-old Wittenberg.

Canadian Tour

BRIMLEY, Mich.-- Michelle Wie will be starting school on time after all.

The 13-year-old failed in her effort to become the first female to make the cut in a men's professional golf tournament this summer.

Wie struggled to a 7-over 79 Friday for a 36-hole of 9-over 153, missing the cut by five strokes in the Bay Mills Open Players Championship.-- From wire reports