GRAND BLANC, Mich. — The PGA Tour's optimistic view of life without Tiger Woods is that it gives unheralded players a chance in the spotlight.

Bo Van Pelt is trying to take advantage.

Van Pelt fired a 6-under 66 yesterday at the Buick Open, making him a career-best 14-under 130 through 36 holes and the second-round leader by two shots.

He missed out on his best chance to win for the first time in seven PGA Tour seasons at the Puerto Rico Open, where he led for three-plus rounds before losing by a stroke to first-time winner Greg Kraft.

"The more I put myself in that position, one of these Sundays is going to be my day," he said.

Daniel Chopra (67) and Dudley Hart (68) head into the weekend at 12 under, two shots behind Van Pelt.

Woody Austin (67) was another stroke back along with Matt Jones (63).

While some relative unknowns fill the leaderboard at a tournament expecting to feature Woods before he had season-ending knee surgery, the top players in a lackluster field are failing to dominate.

Jim Furyk (No. 12), Justin Leonard (No. 23) and Kenny Perry (No. 27) are the only players among the top 30 in the world at Warwick Hills, where just nine of the top 50 players in the world ranking are competing.

Perry (67) fared the best of the trio of standouts, trailing Van Pelt by six shots. Leonard (68) was nine strokes back, and Furyk was another shot behind after following up a solid first round with an even-par 72.

Rocco Mediate (69) made the cut at 4 under in his first tournament since pushing Woods for five-plus rounds in the U.S. Open before coming up just short in a dramatic matchup watched by millions.

"I got some sleep and I played a little bit better," Mediate said.

Hawai'i's two Tour players Dean Wilson and Parker McLachlin failed to make the cut of 3-under 141 for the final two rounds.

Wilson, a Castle High alum who opened with a 3-under 69 on Thursday, carded a 74 yesterday for a 143, while McLachlin, a Punahou Schools alum, struggled to a 75 for a 145 total.

Brian Bateman became the fourth Buick Open defending champion to miss the cut and the first in a decade. Now, a shoulder injury might put him on the shelf soon.

EUROPEAN PGA TOUR

TWO LEAD FRENCH OPEN

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — England's David Lynn holed a bunker shot for birdie on the final hole for a 6-under 65 and a share of the second-round lead with Spanish qualifier Pablo Larrazabal yesterday in the French Open.

Lynn and Larrazabal (70) had 7-under 135 totals on Le Golf National's Albatross Course.

England's Lee Westwood (68), Scotland's Colin Montgomerie (68), Spain's Ignacio Garrido (69), Argentina's Angel Cabrera (70) and Ireland's Peter Lawrie (71) were tied for third.

DURAMED FUTURES TOUR

THREE TIED WITH 69S

Hammond, Ind. — Lisa Ferrero, Sarah Lynn and Taya Battistella carded 3-under-par 69s to share the first-round lead in the Duramed FUTURES Tour's $90,000 Horseshoe Casino Classic at the Lost Marsh Golf Course.

Six players are one stroke back at 2-under 70.

Three players from Hawai'i are in the field. Leah Whiting, of Hilo, opened with a 74, while Maui's Shayna Miyajima and Kailua's Bridget Dwyer are at 79.