Golf Roundup : A Relaxed Verplank Leads by 2

Scott Verplank, who knew success as an amateur but has had little of it as a pro, matched his first-round 66 Friday to take a two-stroke lead in the second round of the $700,000 Buick Open golf tournament at Grand Blanc, Mich.

Verplank, who has struggled since winning the 1985 Western Open while still an amateur, was at 12-under-par 132. Howard Twitty was next at 134 after shooting a 65, the best round of the tournament.

“I had the same amount of fun today as yesterday,” Verplank said. “I’m just happy I was able to go out and enjoy myself as much as I did yesterday. I enjoyed playing golf. This is actually kind of fun.

“I’d like to play the rest of my career without worrying about what I shoot. I’d rather have fun than just go out and play.”

Fred Couples, one of six co-leaders with Verplank in the first round, was at 135 with Mike Sullivan, Steve Elkington and Tim Norris.

Judy Dickinson shot a 4-under-par 67 to take a one-stroke lead in the first-round of the inaugural $225,000 Greater Washington Open at Bethesda, Md.

Jan Stephenson, Beth Daniel, Janet Coles and Susan Sanders were at 68, while Ayako Okamoto, Lynn Adams, Mary Beth Zimmerman and Mei-Chi Cheng of Taiwan were at 69.

Amy Alcott was among a pack of 10 players at 70. U.S. Open winner Liselotte Neumann of Sweden shot a 71.

Bobby Nichols fired a 5-under-par 67 to take the first-round lead in the $300,000 Digital seniors tournament at Concord, Mass.

Nichols held a one-stroke edge over defending champion Chi Chi Rodriguez and Al Geiberger, who hit every green in regulation at the Nashawtuc Country Club course.

Australian Graham Marsh shot a 6-under-par 66 for the second straight day, and his 132 gave him a one-stroke lead over first-round leader and countryman Craig Parry, who had a 69, at the halfway point of the $450,000 Scandinavian Open at Stockholm.

Two more Australians, Peter McWhinney and Peter Senior, were tied for third at 134.