U.S. Senior Open: Second-round notebook

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Fred Funk's two-stroke lead after 36 holes on the East Course at The Broadmoor is one stroke shy of the largest margin in U.S. Senior Open history. Tom Watson (2007), Ed Dougherty (1999), Dave Stockton (1992), Billy Casper (1988) and Dale Douglass (1986) all were three strokes in front at the halfway point. Only Douglass went on to win in the particular year.

Eduardo Romero carded one of only four sub-par rounds on Friday. (Pensinger/Getty Images)

• In the first 19 official events on the Champions Tour this year, nine second-round leaders/co-leaders have gone on to victory, including the last four winners on the Champions Tour -- Bruce Vaughan (Senior British Open), R.W. Eaks (3M Championship), Eduardo Romero (Dick's Sporting Goods Open) and Loren Roberts (Commerce Bank Championship).

• A total of 62 players (low-60 and ties) from a starting field of 156 made the cut at 8-over--par 148. Last year at Whistling Straits, 62 players made the cut at 4-over-par 148. Among those missing the cut were two-time champion Allen Doyle (2005-06), along with former champions Dale Douglass (1986), Dave Stockton (1996), Dave Eichelberger (1999) and Peter Jacobsen (2004).

• The 240-yard, par-3 12th hole has played as the toughest for the first two days of the 2008 U.S. Senior Open. The hole has played to a stroke average of 3.592, yielding just four birdies. The 601-yard, par-5 third hole has played as the easiest with a stroke averge of 4.851. The hole has yielded nine eagles and 90 birdies.

• Two-time U.S. Senior Open and three-time U.S. Open champion Hale Irwin had an unusual rules incident at the start of his second round. On the first tee of the 8:45 a.m. starting time, Irwin was preparing to make his first stroke. As he started his downswing, the chimes from the Will Rogers Shrine to the Sun rang. Irwin attempted to redirect his swing to avoid hitting the ball. However, he did not successfully check his downswing and the club struck the ball.

• Per Decision 14/1.5 (Intent to Strike Ball Ceases During Downswing; Club Not Stopped But Path of Clubhead Altered to Avoid Striking Ball), the stroke counts. Irwin's ball came to rest under the Rolex clock located 20 yards forward and left of the first tee. He was then provided relief without penalty from the clock. Irwin went on to par the 429-yard par-4 hole and eventually posted a 1-over 71 and stands at 145 (+5) thru 36 holes of the championship.

• Rick Cloninger, the winner of the 1999 Georgia State Amateur, from Fort Mill, S.C., has the lowest score (+2/142) among the six amateurs who made the cut in the 2008 U.S. Senior Open. In addition to Cloninger, Danny Green (+4/144), from Jackson, Tennessee, made the cut for the second consecutive year. Others making the cut this year include Tom Doughtie (+5/145) from Amarillo, Tex., Stan Lee (+7/147) from Heber Springs, Ark., Bert Atkinson (+7/147) from Charleston, S.C., and Bob Stephens (+7/147) from Indianapolis, Ind.

• Scott Hoch made the biggest move up on Friday. After shooting a 76 in Round 1 (tied for 88th), Hoch posted an even-par 70 in Round 2 and jumped up 54 spots into a tie for 34th. Ian Woosnam of Wales had the lowest round of the day. His 68 moved him from a tie for 59th into a tie for 12th.

• Tim Simpson withdrew before the start of his second round with a pulled muscle in his rib area.

• Larry Laoretti was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard at the conclusion of his second round. Laoretti signed for a 4 on the par-5 ninth hole, when he actually scored a 6. Laoretti had shot 81 in the first round before his disqualification.