ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- Sea Island seems to be a good fit for California native Kevin Chappell.
It didn't work so well for Dru Love, 21, the son of Davis Love III, who grew up in the Golden Isles and missed the cut in his PGA Tour debut.
Chappell had no trouble in a steady wind Friday, holing a 35-foot birdie putt early and holing a 45-yard bunker shot for eagle late in his round of 5-under 65 on the Seaside Course that gave him a one-shot lead going into the weekend at the RSM Classic.
Winless in five-plus years and 143 starts on the PGA Tour, Chappell, 29, gave himself another chance in a tournament where he seems to thrive. He was in the final group going into the weekend at Sea Island in 2013, and was four shots behind at the halfway point last year.
Chappell was at 11-under 131, one shot clear of Freddie Jacobson, who had a 5-under 67 on the Plantation Course, and Kevin Kisner, who had a 67 at Seaside.
Kyle Stanley had a 67 at Seaside and was two shots behind. Graeme McDowell, coming off a victory Monday in Mexico, had a 68 at Plantation and was four behind.
Dru Love looked like he would make it to the weekend when he was 3 under for the tournament with only seven holes to play. The junior at Alabama played the final seven holes at Plantation in 7 over, closing with two double bogeys for a 42 on the front nine and a 76 to miss the cut. Davis Love III, the tournament host, had a 70 at Plantation that allowed him to make the cut on the number at 2-under 140.
David Lingmerth (Arkansas Razorbacks) had three birdies and four bogeys for a 1-over 73 and a two-round total of 3-under 139. Andrew Landry (Razorbacks) did not make the cut.
LPGA
Jang leads by 2
NAPLES, Fla. -- Ha Na Jang shot a 7-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead Friday over top-ranked Lydia Ko in the LPGA Tour's season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
Jang had a 10-under 134 total. Ko, 18, shot a 67, rebounding from a double bogey and a bogey with birdies on the final two holes. The New Zealander remains in control of year-end honors, such as player of the year, the scoring title and a $1 million bonus.
Jennifer Song (69) and Cristie Kerr (69) were 7 under. Karine Icher (67) was another stroke back along with Brittany Lincicome (70) and Gerina Piller (70).
Second-ranked Inbee Park (69) was tied for 13th at 4 under.
Ko and Park are tied for the tour victory lead with five. They are 1-2 in five major competitions.
Ko tops the world ranking, player of the year standings, Race to the CME Globe and the money list. Park leads the Vare Trophy for scoring average.
Ko, Park and No. 3 Stacy Lewis (Arkansas Razorbacks), would take the $1 million Race to the CME Globe bonus with a victory.
Lewis (70) was tied Friday for 29th at 2 over.
EUROPEAN PGA
Sullivan, McIlroy move up
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- England's Andy Sullivan took a one-stroke lead Friday in the DP World Tour Championship, and Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy moved two shots ahead of rival Danny Willett.
Sullivan shot his second consecutive 6-under 66 at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Argentina's Emiliano Grillo was second after a 64, and American Patrick Reed was third at 9 under after a 65.
McIlroy was tied for fourth at 8 under after a 68. Willett had a 70.
McIlroy leads the standings followed by Willett. The points winner will receive $1.25 million and an additional $625,000 for playing three of the four Finals Series events.
Sports on 11/21/2015