Stewart Cink Holds Two-Shot Lead After 65 at Regions Tradition

Stewart Cink held a two-stroke lead through two rounds at the Regions Tradition after shooting a second straight 7-under 65 on Friday. The 52-year-old was in position to chase consecutive senior major titles after winning the Senior PGA Championship two weeks earlier.

Cink and Cejka at Greystone

Cink began Friday tied for the lead with Alex Cejka, then separated with eight birdies and one bogey at Greystone Golf & Country Club. He said, "I executed some nice shots" after the round.

"I made a long putt on 17. Had a couple two-putt birdies, a couple pretty simple up-and-downs. It was really nothing for the history books, it was just some good play," he said. Charlie Wi moved into second after his second 66 and sat two shots back.

Goosen and Jaidee at 11 under

Retief Goosen shot 65 and Thongchai Jaidee shot 66, leaving both tied for third at 11 under. Cejka followed his opening-round co-lead with a 68 and dropped into that tie for third as well.

Cink's season already included wins in January in Hawaii and in the Hoag Classic and Senior PGA in consecutive starts in late March and April, giving him seven career senior titles. He also has eight PGA TOUR victories, including the playoff win over Tom Watson in The 2009 Open Championship.

Alabama support for Cink

The weekend crowd will include family and friends from north and central Alabama, and Cink said, "I'm going to have some of my north and central Alabaman friends and family here the rest of the weekend so that will be great to see them" and "Hopefully give them something to cheer about." Ángel Cabrera, the defending champion, was tied for 20th at 5 under after rounds of 72 and 67.