CROMWELL, Conn. -- Scott Langley took the second-round lead in the Travelers Championship on Friday, following his opening 64 with a 65 to reach 11-under 129.
Winless in two seasons on the PGA Tour, the 25-year-old Langley had eight birdies, a double bogey and a bogey in the second round at TPC River Highlands.
''I’ve given myself a lot of short birdie opportunities the first two days. Those are nice,’' said Langley, trying to become the fifth straight first-time PGA Tour winner in the event. ''When you start adding up three, four and five almost tap-in birdies, that just really kind of boosts you up.’'
Michael Putnam, Harris English and K.J. Choi were a stroke back. Putnam had a 63, the best round of the day. English shot 64, and Choi 65.
First-round leader Brendan Steele had a 69 and to top the group at 9 under. He made three bogeys on his first nine holes, but rallied with four straight birdies on Nos. 3-6.
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Patrick Rodgers, the former Stanford star making his pro debut, was 5 under after a 69. Cameron Wilson, Rodgers’ college teammate who also was making his pro debut, missed the cut with rounds of 73 and 75.
Defending champion Ken Duke was 3 under after a 72.
Masters champion Bubba Watson, the 2010 Travelers winner for his first PGA Tour title, followed his opening 67 with a 72 to make the cut by a stroke.
Putnam has finished in the top 25 once in 22 events this season. He matched his season best with a 67 in the first round and bettered it significantly Friday with the 63.
''It was a perfect day for scoring. It left myself in some good spots and made a couple putts,’' Putnam said. ''I actually three-putted 13 for par so it could have been even better.’'
Erik Compton, the two-time heart transplant recipient who tied for second Sunday in the U.S. Open, missed the cut. He had a 69 in the second round to finish at 3 over.