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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, July 19, 2008

Johnson, Flanagan tied for lead

 •  Choi takes British Open lead

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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MILWAUKEE — Richard S. Johnson was disappointed his score wasn't lower while Nick Flanagan was just happy to be playing well on the PGA Tour.

First-round leader Johnson shot 3-under-par 67 and Flanagan had a 7-under 63 yesterday to share the second-round lead at 10-under at the U.S. Bank Championship over the 6,579-yard Brown Deer Park Golf Course.

Hawai'i's Dean Wilson shot a 73—138 and made the cut on the number. Parker McLachlin shot a 74—142 and missed the cut.

Kent Jones and Gavin Coles were tied for third a shot back of the leaders. Jones shot 65 and Coles, of Australia, had the low round of the tournament at 62, one shy of the course record.

Another stroke back at 132 were Troy Matteson and Ken Duke, who both shot 65.

Despite retaining a share of the lead, Johnson was upset he had two major lipouts on his final two holes to deny him outright possession of first. The hardest to bear was a putt of just under 10 feet on the par-4 ninth hole.

"It was a really nice putt," Johnson said. "It would have been nice to get to 11."

Because Johnson missed the putt, Flanagan caught him with a 12-foot birdie putt on the ninth, which was also his final hole.

Flanagan was delighted to be tied for the lead after struggling in his rookie season. He was promoted to the PGA Tour after winning three times last year on the Nationwide Tour.

"It's really been a bit of a struggle," he said. "I have not been intimidated out here. It's just learning the golf courses. And my swing just hasn't been cooperating with me."

In a group of seven players at 133 was defending champion Joe Ogilvie, who had a 67 to remain in contention to become the first player to win back-to-back titles.

"I'm not in it to lose it," Ogilvie said. "I like breaking streaks, especially those type of streaks."

South African brothers Deane Pappas and Brenden Pappas, who trailed Johnson by a stroke after the first round, slipped down the leaderboard. Brenden shot even-par 70 for a 134 total while Deane had 72 for 136.

The cut was 2-under par 138 and 78 players made it.