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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 12:44 p.m., Saturday, April 19, 2008

Golf: Deja Boo? Weekley in line for another victory

By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Defending champion Boo Weekley continued his remarkable run at Harbour Town Golf Links, using a stretch of five straight birdies to move in front today in the Verizon Heritage.

Weekley shot a 6-under 65 to reach 15 under and move three strokes ahead of Anthony Kim (67) and five in front of Aaron Baddeley (67), Jason Bohn (67) and Cliff Kresge (68). Second-round leader Lucas Glover shot a 73 to drop seven shots back.

Weekley chipped in on the 71st and 72nd holes a year ago to beat Ernie Els for his first PGA Tour victory. The good-natured, self-proclaimed country boy from the Florida Panhandle hasn't slowed down in his return.

No one's had a better start than Weekley at Pete Dye's menacing masterpiece of tight fairways, smallish greens and railroad ties.

Weekley's got a sting of seven straight rounds in the 60s. That tied Greg Norman for second all-time at Harbour Town behind Nick Price's nine in a row.

Those major champions had made several Harbour Town starts before their streaks began. Weekley hadn't teed it up here until last year.

Weekley started the day a stroke behind Glover. Weekley fell two back after finding the sand on the par-5 second hole and settling for par while Glover made birdie.

Then Weekley's run began with _ what else? _ a chip in on the par-3 fourth.

A two-putt birdie on the par-5 fifth followed. Weekley stuck his approach on the next hole to 7 feet for a third straight birdie and a tie with Glover.

Weekley moved in front on the seventh with a 10-foot birdie putt.

When Weekley rolled home a 20-footer on the eighth, he was two shots in front.

Weekley pumped his fist and pointed as the fans chanted "Boooo! Boooo!"

The streak ended on the ninth when Weekley saved par out of the sand.

He stretched his lead to three shots with a birdie on the 12th hole.

Weekley's lone "boo-boo" came four holes later, his approach to No. 16 skidding off the green and near the 17th tee to lead to bogey. He made it back on the closing, lighthouse hole, rolling in a 6-footer for a three-shot edge.

Kim, a second-year pro seeking his first PGA Tour win, was the only one who kept pace with Weekley. Starting two shots off the lead, Kim made eagle on the second and stayed close with two birdies on the front.

The 22-year-old nearly saw it fall apart, dunking his tee shot on the 10th hole into the water. But he chipped in to save par.

Kim also saved par from off the green on the 18th to remain two shots behind.

Does anyone have chance of halting Weekley's run?

"It's going to depend on him, really," said Baddeley, the 2006 Verizon Heritage winner.

Weekley swore a year ago as he sat with the champions' plaid jacket he wouldn't change because of success. He was true to his word.

Weekley charmed the galleries again with his folksy, good ol' golfer outlook.

He teed it up with his mother, Patsy, in Wednesday's pro-am, then got angry, he says, when she outdrove him on the first hole.

He took time during the second round to smooth a bunker on the 16th hole. "I ain't too good to rake a bunker," Weekley said simply.

When asked where his garish checked winner's coat was, he smiled and said it was packed up in his mama's car after he wore it to "march around the lagoon," Weekley's description of the tournament's opening ceremonies.

He chewed tobacco during his round. As he approached the 18th tee, Weekley told a little girl who wanted a golf ball, "Let me hit it and I'll bring one back."

Weekley delivered on his promise, as he has the past two years at Harbour Town.