Paul

Claxton

His bogey-free round featured seven birdies, but none came on the par 5s. The irons have been the key, as his 29 GIR in 36 holes are tied for the tournament lead. A two-time Web.com Tour winner, Claxton sits second in all-time earnings on the Tour with $1,727,373. A win this week would have him breathing down Darron Stiles’ neck for the top spot, which is a bit of a back-handed compliment.

Claxton owns the dubious distinction as the Nationwide Tour’s career money leader. Finishing 10th on the minor tour, he earned his 2008 PGA Tour card despite making just 10 of 23 cuts. Although he won once and finished 2nd twice, he also endured a stretch of nine consecutive events without a paycheck before a T-44 at the no-cut Nationwide Tour Championship.

Claxton has played in the first two events of the Tour’s Fall Series, with a T-55 at the Turning Stone and a T-58 last week at the Texas Open.

Claxton and Travis Perkins (+4) will need eagles at the par-5 9th hole to make the cut on the number. Kenneth Ferrie (-2) will join them at the 9th to complete his second round. Meanwhile, North Florida PGA Section Qualifier, Rod Perry (+2), needs to par the par-5 18th to make the cut. And Martin Laird (-2) will have a 4-footer for birdie on the same hole when play resumes Saturday morning at 7:45 a.m. ET. There is a 30 percent chance of rain throughout the weekend, which will help approach shots that have been rolling off what have been hardpan greens. The wind will remain a factor but scoring should drop on Saturday if it gets wet.