BETHESDA, Md. — Jeff Overton doesn't feel like a different player than the guy who couldn't make it to the weekend on the PGA Tour over the last two months. Funny how seeing the ball go in the hole changes everything.

Overton continued his one-week turnaround yesterday with a 5-under 65, giving him a share of the lead with Tom Pernice Jr. in the AT&T National before storms rained on the Fourth of July atmosphere at Congressional and interrupted the second round.

Overton and Pernice, who matched the course record on a soft, still day at Congressional with a 63, were at 9-under 131.

Anthony Kim, living up to his billing as the next young threat in golf, appeared poised to catch the leaders until a 1 1/2-hour storm delay that slowed his momentum. A bogey on the par-5 ninth gave him a 67, three shots behind with Cliff Kresge (65).

Hawai'i's two golfers on the PGA Tour, Parker McLachlin and Dean Wilson, both made the cut for weekend play.

McLachlin, a Punahou alum, carded a 4-under 66, and was tied for 14th place at 137, while Wilson, a Castle High alum, shot a 70 and was in a tie for 26th at 139.

Overton hasn't finished in the top 20 all year and had not broken par since the last week in April. He missed the cut at the Buick Open last week, his sixth weekend off in his last seven tournaments.

He stuck around Detroit for a British Open qualifier — Overton has never played in any major — and was 9-under over two rounds to finish first in his field and earn a ticket to Royal Birkdale.

He showed up at Congressional and hasn't stopped.

"I've hit a lot of great shots the last few weeks. It's been frustrating lipping out a lot of putts," Overton said. "And on Monday, made a bunch of putts and saw the ball go in the hole a few times, and it opens the flood gates mentally."

Pernice did most of his damage around the turn, running off four straight birdies, starting with a 20-footer on the tough par-4 sixth hole that played 494 yards.

"I've been playing well, and you never know when a round like this is going to jump up," Pernice said.

First-round leader Steve Marino, who grew up in northern Virginia and had a vocal cheering section that stuck with him when the rain arrived, shot 70 and was in a group of seven at 135.

LPGA TOUR

Lee's 64 tops in Arkansas: Stacy Lewis roused the Arkansas crowd with an impressive start. Seon Hwa Lee's finish was even better.

Lee birdied five of her final six holes yesterday for an 8-under 64 to take a two-shot lead in the LPGA Tour's NW Arkansas Championship at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark.

"My swing feels really good now," said Lee, who won the Ginn Tribute last month. "When I practiced this afternoon ... I hit it pretty solid."

The start was delayed about five hours, bringing back memories of last September, when the inaugural event was shortened from 54 to 18 holes because of heavy rain.

Lewis, a former University of Arkansas star, finished with a 69 on the 6,238-yard course, four strokes worse than her tournament-best score a year ago. Because the event lasted only 18 holes last year, she didn't get credit for an official victory

CHAMPIONS TOUR

Ozaki leads with opening 63: Japan's Joe Ozaki fired a 9-under 63 yesterday, his low in three years on the Champions Tour, to gain a two-shot lead over Argentina's Eduardo Romero after the first round of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open at Endicott, N.Y.

"Very, very well today," Ozaki said with a big smile. "Perfect. Greens perfect. Easy to stop. Between the trees, no problem. OK, finished! Thank you!"

Joey Sindelar, Ronnie Black, and Fulton Allem were tied for third at 66, while John Harris, Des Smyth, Bobby Wadkins, and Morris Hatalsky were at 67 at the En-Joie Golf Club course.

EUROPEAN PGA

Fisher holds halfway lead: England's Ross Fisher birdied his final hole for a 4-under 68 and a one-stroke lead over Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell yesterday after the second round of the European Open at Ash, England.

Fisher had a 13-under 131 total on The London Golf Club's Heritage Course. McDowell shot a 67 for 132.

"I didn't feel completely confident with my game," Fisher said. "I was not quite as sharp and I missed a few fairways and a few putts."