ZealousGolfer.com

Japanese star K.J. Choi seized the lead Friday after firing a five und 66 to complement his three under 68 on Thursday. Choi will certainly be challenged during the weekend by several players, especially South African Ernie Els who is looking to break out of a long slump beginning before injuring his knee during a vacation following the Open Championship last season. Els is at seven under, trailing Choi by one going into the weekend. Els is currently holding the 30th place on the Tour's money list, significant because the top thirty on the money list gain entry into next week's Tour Championship. Young gun Johnathan Byrd is also tied with Els at seven under along with several others. Veteran Paul Goydos, who is currently in 160th and needs a strong finish to keep his TOUR card, is in a tie for fith place at five under par. Other players who need strong finishes to keep their TOUR cards include Jeff Brehaut at 3 under and Steve Elkington at 2 under. Masters champion Mike Weir is in 16th place and needs to over take two players to gain entry into next week's Tour Championship. Duffy Waldorf dropped from his third place starting position to 46th place after shooting 74. Waldorf's chances at keeping his card likely suffered a huge drop following his meltdown unless he finds a strong performance during the weekend. Brian Bateman, the 125th player on the money list, will not be playing on the week following two rounds of 73. First round leader Brian Gay shot an even par 71 to fall to second place at seven under par.