John Mallinger
John Mallinger shot a 7-under 65 Friday and grabbed the lead at the Children's Hospital Classic in Chattanooga. Mallinger's 13-under 131 total is one better than former Navy Lieutenant Billy Hurley III, who kept pace with his own 65 at Black Creek Mountain and former champion Justin Bolli, who shot 67.
Monday qualifier Brice Garnett (68) is two shots back while Aaron Watkins (65), first-round leader Nicholas Thompson (71), Brett Wetterich (68) and 2006 champion Kyle Reifers (67) are tied for fifth place, three off the pace.
Mallinger has been on a hot streak on the Nationwide Tour after struggling all season on the PGA Tour. After missing the cut in his first five starts to begin the 2011 campaign, he made six of nine after that but still missed out on the FedExCup playoffs when they began in late August.
In his last four Nationwide starts, he's finished tied for third, second, second and tied for sixth.
Jon Mills of Belleville, Ont., is seven strokes back after a round of 70. Mills was on pace to shoot a second straight round of 68 until he double bogeyed his final hole of the day.
Matthew Richardson (72) of Woodbridge, Ont., Bryan DeCorso (74) of Guelph and Vancouver's Richard T. Lee (75) all missed the cut.