Westwood challenge falters

England‘s Lee Westwood dropped out of contention at the top of the leaderboard in the Houston Open as Stuart Appleby headed a field of six players on six under after the second round.

Westwood shot 75 to end the day five shots adrift on one under – two shots further off the lead than he was after the first round.

Instead, Appleby, who carded 66 in the first round, had to sign for an even-par 72 in his second round, joining Bubba Watson (67), Bob Estes (71), Jason Gore (68), D.J. Brigman (68) and Jeff Maggert (71) in the leading pack.

Appleby opened with a 66 last year and cruised to a wire-to-wire victory in an event he also won in 1999. That will not be the case this time around for the Australian, who had not broken 70 in 20 rounds prior to Thursday.

Appleby tied for 13th at the season-opening Mercedes Championship but has finished no better than 33rd and missed a pair of cuts in six events since. He also won here in 1999.

Second-year pro Watson is seeking his first career PGA title. He finished tied for fourth at the Buick Invitational in January and has two top-10 finishes in eight starts this season.

Meanwhile, Westwood‘s fellow Ryder Cup star David Howell is also on one under after carding 73.