PONTE VEDRA BEACH (Florida), March 23: Carl Paulson has posted his second straight three-under-par 69 on Friday to take the lead at the Players Championship, on a day when the world’s best struggled to master the TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course.

Paulson, who suffered from viral meningitis earlier this year and has yet to make a cut in four previous 2002 PGA Tour starts, heads into the weekend at six-under-par 138.

The total puts him one shot ahead of world number two Phil Mickelson, New Zealander Craig Perks and 1988 PGA champion Jeff Sluman.

For the second day, play was suspended due to darkness.

Forty-six players will finish their second rounds beginning at 7:50 a.m. (1250 GMT) on Saturday.

New Zealander Michael Campbell is two shots back at four-under-par after shooting a four-under 68.

A group of five players are tied for sixth at three-under-par, including David Gossett, Chris DiMarco and England’s Nick Faldo, who have all completed their rounds.

Mark Calcavecchia and Steve Lowery still have holes to play Saturday morning.

Defending champion Tiger Woods shot an even-par 72 and is one-under for the championship, five shots behind Paulson.

Second round scores

138 Carl Paulson 69 69 139 Phil Mickelson 64 75, Craig Perks 71 68 140 Michael Campbell 72 68 141 David Gossett 69 72, Chris DiMarco 66 75, Nick Faldo

68 73 142 John Huston 73 69, Billy Andrade 73 69, Mark Brooks 72 70,

Sergio Garcia 70 72, Steve Elkington

74 68 143 Angel Cabrera 71 72, Loren Roberts 72 71,

Craig Stadler 71 72, Tiger Woods 71 72, Dudley Hart 71 72,

Steve Stricker 69 74, Mike Weir 70 73, David Duval

68 75, Stephen Ames 74 69, Brandel Chamblee 74 69.—Reuters