GOLF : With Another 64, Simpson’s Game Sure Isn’t Mickey Mouse

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. —  Tim Simpson continued to blister par in the Disney Golf Classic on Thursday, adding a second-round 64 to an identical opening score for a 36-hole total that was 16 strokes under par and four in front of Paul Azinger.

“I’m playing pretty darn good,” said Simpson, who made seven birdies, an eagle and a bogey on the 7,190-yard Magnolia Course. He credited a change in his putting style Tuesday for much of his success.

The low round of the day was a 63 by Tom Byrum.

Simpson’s 128 total ties similar low 36-hole scores by Jose Maria Olazabal and Peter Persons earlier this year on the PGA Tour.

Azinger had a 65 Thursday to go with his first-round 67 and is four shots behind the leader.

Also turning in 65s were Bob Gilder, Kenny Perry, Davis Love III, Gene Sauers and Bob Lohr.

Gilder, Perry, Sauers and Love were five shots behind Simpson, along with Byrum and John Mahaffey (66). Lohr was one shot farther back at 134.

“I remained patient today,” Simpson said. “It took nine holes to get comfortable. But when you get it going, you feel like Rocky.”

His eagle came on the par-five 10th hole, where he hit a three-wood 243 yards into the wind for his second shot and then holed out with a sand wedge from 35 yards.

Fellow pro and friend Morris Hatalsky worked with Simpson to change to a more upright putting stance and a slower stroke.

Azinger, who had seven birdies in his 65, said: “I was very solid tee to green. I was really close all the way. I felt I could have birdied every hole except seven and nine.”