PHOENIX (Reuters) - Britain's Greg Owen spectacularly holed out with a sand wedge to eagle the par-four 15th on the way to a share of the lead in Friday's second round of the Arizona Open in Scottsdale.
Owen began another sunny day in the Arizona desert with a sizzling run of five birdies in the first six holes and ended it by carding a six-under-par 64 for an 11-under total of 129.
Level with the Briton was 20-year-old American Rickie Fowler, who fired a matching 64 on the Raptor Course at Grayhawk Golf Club in only his second PGA Tour event as a professional.
Veteran American Justin Leonard, winner of the 1997 British Open, was alone in third at 10 under after carding a seven-birdie 64.
Owen, two shots behind pacesetting Australian Nick O'Hern overnight, set the tone for his early birdie barrage with a superb wedge approach to within two feet at the par-four first.
Out in three-under 32, he collected his sixth birdie of the day at the par-four 14th before holing out from 104 yards at the 15th.
CAKE ICING
"That was the icing on the cake," the 37-year-old Englishman told reporters of his stunning eagle. "It just went straight in the hole which was a good feeling.
"I didn't miss a green yesterday and I hit plenty today. I've actually played really, really well."
Owen lies 116th in the 2009 PGA Tour money list and needs to stay in the top 125 with just two more events remaining to secure a full playing exemption for next season.
"I've got a little bit of leeway," said the Englishman, whose sole European Tour victory came at the 2003 British Masters.
"I'm just trying to play well at the weekend and it'll take care of itself.
"I just want a chance at giving myself more chances next year. That's the main goal. I got jobs to do this weekend."
Left-hander O'Hern, like Owen bidding for a maiden victory on the PGA Tour, followed his opening 63 with a 68 to slip back into a tie for fourth at nine under with American Ryan Moore (65).
The cut fell at one-under 139 with former world number one David Duval and fellow American Cameron Beckman, the defending champion, among those missing out.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)
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