Rory Sabbatini followed an unconventional par with four consecutive birdies on way to a season-best 6-under 64 and a share of the second-round lead Friday with John Mallinger at the Byron Nelson Championship.
Mallinger eagle both par 5s at the TPC Four Seasons and made a 15-foot birdie on his final hole for a 65 to match Sabbatini at 8-under 132 -- a stroke ahead of five players.
Before the birdie streak on Nos. 4-7 that put Sabbatini in the lead, he hit his tee shot into the water at the 528-yard third -- his 12th hole of the day. His approach went into a greenside bunker, but he saved par with a 96-foot blast into the cup.
First-round co-leader James Nitties (68) overcame a double bogey after hitting his first tee shot of the day out of bounds. He was 7 under along with Brian Davis (65), Briny Baird (64), James Driscoll and Dustin Johnson (65).
The possibility of rain is forcing event coordinators to adjust. Tee times will move to 7:30am Saturday with the leaders set to hit the links around 9:30am. The third round should be complete by early afternoon.
