CHARLOTTE (North Carolina), May 10: Zimbabwe’s Nick Price fired a one-under-par 71 in gusting winds to move one stroke clear of the field after the second round of the Wachovia Championship on Friday.

The three-times major winner survived a “scruffy” performance to finish at seven-under 137, one ahead of 1992 U.S. Masters winner Fred Couples, who had shared the overnight lead with Price after both players opened with 66s.

Couples, winner of the Houston Open two weeks ago, carded a level-par 72 to share second place with J.P. Hayes, whose 66 was the best round of the day.

Reigning U.S. PGA champion Rich Beem also returned a 72 to tie for fourth on 139, level with David Toms (69), Charles Howell III (69), Brandt Jobe (69) and Robert Gamez (67).

Unlike in the first round, players had to contend with southwest winds that gusted up to 20 mph on Friday.

Although Price needed 27 putts on Friday compared with just 20 in the first round, he felt his success on the greens meant he does not have to challenge pin positions as he bids for the 19th PGA Tour title of his career.

Leading second round scores

137 Nick Price (Zimbabwe) 66 71

138 Fred Couples 66 72, J.P. Hayes 72 66 139 Brandt Jobe 70 69, Rich Beem 67 72, David Toms 70 69, Charles Howell III 70 69, Robert Gamez 72 67

140 Paul Goydos 68 72, Kevin Sutherland 71 69, Frank Lickliter II 73 67, Duffy Waldorf 69 71, Brent Geiberger 71 69, Jason Gore 73 67, Tom Pernice Jr. 73 67

141 Jeff Brehaut 68 73, Tim Petrovic 73 68, Brad Faxon 73 68, Fred Funk 71 70, Stewart Cink 72 69