DEARBORN, Mich. — The TPC of Michigan was ripe for the picking, and Joe Ozaki was more than happy to oblige.

The Champions Tour rookie from Japan made a record-tying eight birdies in a row and was atop the leaderboard at 9 under when rain stopped play during the second round of the Senior Players Championship yesterday.

Ozaki started the string of birdies by chipping in from just off the green at No. 2. He made four putts of at least 12 feet, including a 25-footer on No. 8.

Ozaki said through an interpreter that he didn't realize the magnitude of his achievement until his tournament-record seventh straight birdie on No. 8.

The run ended when he missed the green at No. 10 and settled for a par. He birdied No. 11, bogeyed the 12th and was facing an 8-foot birdie putt at the par-5 13th when play was stopped.

"It would have been nice to finish today," Ozaki said. "Tomorrow, the conditions will probably be completely different."

The younger brother of Japanese star Jumbo Ozaki birdied Nos. 2-9, equaling the Champions Tour mark held by Chi Chi Rodriguez, Jim Colbert and Dana Quigley and breaking the tournament record of six consecutive birdies.

Jerry Pate (65), Tom Watson (67), Gil Morgan (66), David Edwards (67), Mike Reid (66) and Don Pooley (66) were in the clubhouse at 8-under 136.

The 20 players who didn't complete the second round will finish this morning before starting the third round later in the day.

PGA TOUR

HAWAI'I'S WILSON FOUR BACK IN DEERE CLASSIC

While Michelle Wie received all the headlines, another Hawai'i golfer is making headway in the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill.

Former Kane'ohe resident Dean Wilson shot a 2-under 69 yesterday and moved into a tie for 15th — four shots off the lead.

Joe Ogilvie shot a 4-under 67 and is at 10-under 132. Daniel Chopra (69), Kris Cox (68), John Senden (69) and John Huston (67) were one stroke back at 9 under.

Wilson is at 6-under 136 and tied with 14 others, including Jason Gore, Bill Haas, Steve Elkington and Daisuke Maruyama, Wie's playing partner.

LPGA TOUR

RANKIN, KIM TIED AS FARR STOPPED BY RAIN

Reilley Rankin, whose regular set of clubs got lost in travel two weeks ago, shot a 3-under 68 yesterday to get to 8-under 134 and grab a share of the lead with Mi Hyun Kim (66) before heavy rain forced the suspension of second-round play in the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic at Sylvania, Ohio.

Seventy-two players were on the course when the rain stopped play at the Highland Meadows Golf Club. They will try to finish their rounds today, weather permitting.

ELSEWHERE

Barclays Scottish Open: Darren Clarke fired a 6-under 65 to take a three-shot lead halfway through the European PGA Tour event at Luss, Scotland. Clarke is at 11-under 131 on the Loch Lomond course. Damien McGrane (66), Johan Edfors (69) and Charl Schwartzel (66) are at 134. Ernie Els shot 69—139 and made the cut for a record 76th time in European tournaments.