(Recasts with end of round)
By Tim Wharnsby
OAKVILLE, Ontario, July 24 (Reuters) - Chad Campbell claimed
the halfway lead at the RBC Canadian Open with a near
course-record performance on Friday.
The American, winless on the PGA Tour since 2007, missed a
six-foot birdie putt on his closing hole for a nine-under 63 to
tie the Glen Abbey course record set by Leonard Thompson in 1981
and matched by Andy Bean in 1983 and Greg Norman in 1986.
The bogey free round pushed the Texan's 36-hole total to
14-under, two shots in front of American Brian Harman and three
shots ahead of Canadian David Hearn and American Johnson Wagner.
Australian Jason Day was fifth at 10-under after a 66, while
two-time Masters champ Bubba Watson played himself into the
picture with a 67. He sits in a three-way tie at nine-under with
fellow Americans Erik Compton and Eric Axley.
"I played solid all day," Campbell said. "I was able to make
some putts and made a couple long ones out there. So that's
always nice. The course is playing really fast. You can get
opportunities if you get the ball on the fairway, and the par-5s
are reachable."
Campbell made birdies at each of Glen Abbey's four par-5s,
including three two-putt birdies.
The four-time PGA Tour winner has only had three top-10
showings in the last three years. He has dropped to 261st in the
world rankings.
"I've been a little better this year than the last couple
years," said Campbell, who lost in a three-way playoff to
eventual winner Angel Cabrera and Kenny Perry at the 2009
Masters.
"It's been a struggle the last few years, so I definitely
feel like I'm heading in the right direction with a little
better play."
Harman was good for a five-under 67 on Friday, while Hearn
enjoyed a fine 64 in front of the partisan crowd. Wagner carded
a six-under 66.
"It will be pretty busy tomorrow having a late tee time,"
said Hearn, who is trying to become the first Canadian to win
the tournament since Pat Fletcher in 1954.
(Editing by Gene Cherry)