MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ben Crane shot a 5-under 65 Friday grabbing a six-stroke lead during the rain-delayed second round of the St. Jude Classic at the TPC Southwind.
Crane birdied his final hole Thursday night for a 63 and rolled in a 44-footer for birdie to start Friday morning en route to a round with six birdies and one bogey. That gave him a 128 total through 36 holes and a 12 under that matches the winning score here a year ago.
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Davis Love III (70) and Billy Horschel (68) were in at 5 under.
Phil Mickelson at 3 under and Retief Goosen at 4 under are among those waiting to tee off. But lightning forced a 59-minute lightning delay followed by the horn blowing again only 13 minutes after players returned to the course.
''I certainly didn't see this coming,'' Crane said. ''But you know when you're putting well, I started to feel like I was a little more in control of my ball, just felt like I was tightening my draws and fades a little bit. I had access to some holes I haven't this year and so gosh, it's been an incredible two days.''
Only 32 players finished the second round with the start delayed by 40 minutes to wrap up the first round Friday morning. Then lightning forced a 59-minute lightning delay Friday afternoon followed by the horn blowing again only 13 minutes after players returned to the course for a line of thunderstorms. Fans were sent home early for the second consecutive day as a precaution.
Officials hoped to resume play at 5:45 p.m. CT Friday.