DiMarco storms into lead

Chris DiMarco has carded 17 birdies after 36 holes to grab the lead at the rain-plagued International in Colorado.

But only half of the field were able to complete their round due to the inclement weather.

The modified Stableford format encourages attacking play by awarding two points for birdie and subtracting only one point for bogey and DiMarco has taken full advantage.

“It’s OK to make a few bogeys,” he said after recording just one in his second round, which he more than overcame with nine birdies in ideal conditions at Castle Pines.

DiMarco posted a 31-point total through two rounds, six points ahead of first-round leader Rod Pampling, who completed just 11 holes.

Pampling had six birdies and two bogeys during his second round.

DiMarco and Pampling had a big break over the rest of the field, with Bob Tway and Geoff Ogilvy tied for third on 18 points.

Tway finished his round, while Ogilvy completed 12 holes. Olin Browne was next with 17 points.

The format awards eight points for double eagle, five for eagle, two for birdie, zero for par, and deducts one point for bogey and three for double-bogey or worse.