Players champion Hal Sutton blistered the Forest Oaks golf course firing an eight-under 64 to lead the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic by five from Barry Cheesman, who's at eight under. Sutton had 11 birdies, including four straight starting at the second hole, and three bogeys. Defending champion Jesper Parnevik is tied for third with six others at six under.

The low scores came as a surprise to many, who expected the damp fairways and thick rough to make scoring more difficult. However, with soft greens players wee able to be aggressive.

First-round leaders Brian Henninger and Scott Verplank are at six under and four under respectively.

Scotland's Sandy Lyle shot a three-over-par second-round 75 to miss the cut. He birdied the second hole to give himself hope but six bogeys ruined his card and two further birdies were not enough to save him from an early exit.

Rochdale-born Ed Fryatt slumped to a 74 after his one-under-par opening round of 71 on the North Carolina course and also missed the 144 cut-off total by one stroke.

With the cut falling at a score of 144, Ireland's Keith Nolan exits the competition after shooting a 74 to add to Thursday's 76 for an overall total of 150.