Kane'ohe's Dean Wilson shot a 1-over-par 73 yesterday and dropped from first to a tie for seventh, three strokes behind leader Briny Baird, in the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at the TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La.

Wilson, a Castle High alum, was at 5-under 139 and tied with nine others, including Honolulu's Parker McLachlin. Baird shot a 69 for a one-stroke lead at 136.

McLachlin, a Punahou alum, shot a 67 to move from 59th place. He started on the back nine and opened with an eagle on the par-4 No. 10. But bogeys at Nos. 15 and 17 put him even at the turn. Five birdies (Nos. 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8) gave him a 31 on the front nine.

Wilson had three bogeys (Nos. 8, 15 and 17) and two birdies (Nos. 13 and 14) yesterday.

Baird birdied his final two holes en route to his 69 for a one-stroke lead over Peter Lonard (70) and Jay Williamson (69).

"It didn't feel quite as good as probably the scorecard will make out," Baird said. "I didn't play as well today. My swing felt a little loose at times, but to get in with a 3 under, I was very pleased."

Baird is making his 254th career start on the tour without a victory. His best finishes were a tie for second at the 2001 John Deere Classic, and ties for second at the 2003 Buick Open and 2004 Funai Classic. He has made the cut in seven of nine tournaments this year.

Lonard, who opened with a 67, at one point was 10 under with a four-shot lead, but that was before bogeys on 15, 17 and 18.

Eighty-one players made the cut at even-par 144. Under the tour's revised cut policy, the field will be cut to the low 70 players and ties after the third round.