AUSTRALIA'S Steve Elkington sneaked around before the wind picked up yesterday, shooting a three under par 69 to retain his one shot lead halfway through the Players Championship.

Elkington, who won this event in 1991, collected five birdies and two bogeys for a 36 hole total of nine under 135 in the 53.5 million tournament. He leads 1987 Masters champion Larry Mize, who shot 68 for 136.

Tommy Tolles, who has never won on the PGA Tour, and David Edwards, whose last win came in 1992, were tied for third on 137. Tolles fired a 67, while Edwards carded a 70.

Davis Love III, Craig Parry of Australia, Brian Watts, an American who plays in Japan, and 1996 Player of the Year Tom Lehman were three strokes back at 138. Love's six under 66 was the best round of the day, Parry shot 67, Watts had a 68 and Lehman posted a 71.

The tournament is not one of the four majors, but the field and prize money give off an atmosphere that is more like a major than a regular PGA event.

Elkington also benefited from ideal weather conditions to post an opening round 66 that started with four birdies. He began with three straight pars before sinking a 10 foot birdie. He missed 30 foot birdie putts at the fifth and seventh holes, but holed another 10 footer for birdie at the sixth.

"I guess my round could have been better if I holed more putts," Elkington said. "All things considered, I am pleased with 69, obviously. It was a good round under the conditions, I thought."

While Fellow Scot Sandy Lyle:

fell back to two under with a 74 and Ian Woosnam pulled out with back trouble, Colin Montgomerie's four under par halfway total of 140 left him five behind leader Elkington. Montgomerie had a second successive 70, while US Masters champion Nick Faldo is eight shots off the pace.