Parnevik continues strong play at Texas Open

Jesper Parnevik fired a five-under-par 65 to extend his lead to four strokes after Friday’s second round of the Texas Open.

With a round that included six birdies and a bogey, the Swede sits atop the leaderboard at 14-under 126. He is four shots in front of Mathias Gronberg, who also recorded a five-under 65 on Friday on his way to a 10-under 130 for the tournament.

Parnevik tore through LaCantera Golf Course in Thursday’s first round, overcoming a bogey on his first hole to finish with 10 birdies in a career-best nine-under 61.

Parnevik is looking for his first PGA Tour victory since the 2001 Honda Classic.

He is five strokes ahead of Fredrik Jacobson, who made his presence felt on Friday afternoon, firing a five-under 65 en route to a 131 overall. Jacobson is tied with Richard S. Johnson, who notched a four-under 66 on the tournament’s second day.

Justin Leonard shot a 67 to sit six shots off the pace. He carded a 65 on Thursday.

Dan Forsman and Shigeki Maruyama both are sitting in the clubhouse at seven-under – seven shots back – after shooting 68s on Friday. Seven players are tied at six-under in the crowded field.

Chad Campbell, who won the Viking Classic last week, currently is at six-under for the event after firing a two-under 68 in Friday’s second round.