PGA Goosen has 1-shot lead in Chrysler

Retief Goosen leads Jose Coceres and J.J. Henry after 36 holes.
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) -- A poor finish last week might work out just fine for Retief Goosen, who decided to stay in Florida instead going to Spain and wound up the 36-hole leader Friday in the Chrysler Championship.
Goosen had a 5-under 66 in increasingly blustery conditions at Innisbrook, giving him a one-shot lead over Jose Coceres (68) and J.J. Henry (67). Goosen, who splits time between the PGA Tour and European tour, was at 7-under 135 on a Copperhead course that continued to put up a strong fight against par.
Only 23 players remained under par. The cut was at 3-over, matching the highest of the year in non-majors.
Charles Howell III, the first-round leader, scratched out an even-par 71 and had few complaints. He was at 137, along with Chad Campbell and Jerry Kelly, who each shot 69.
"There is no really great birdie holes out there that you can get one or two back," Howell said. "Every little birdie goes a long way."
Singh eyes title
Vijay Singh, who can clinch the PGA Tour money title with a victory this week, had another 70 and was five strokes out of the lead.
The final full-field event on the PGA Tour is all about making enough money to either get into the Tour Championship (top 30 on the money list), the Masters (top 40) or keeping full playing rights next year (top 125).
Goosen was poised to lock up a spot in the Tour Championship last week, just four strokes out of the lead going into the final round at Disney. But he closed with a 73, wound up in a tie for 18th and was only 26th on the money list.
Despite morning breezes that became stronger by the hour, and greens that became firm under a blazing sun, Goosen rolled along with lots of birdies and hardly any mistakes.
"I seemed to hit it closer today," he said. "It makes the putting easier."
Trying to survive
By the end of the afternoon, several players were simply trying to survive. Rocco Mediate, at No. 30 on the money list, has an aching back and didn't come close to making the cut. He shot 74 to miss it by seven strokes.
PGA champion Shaun Micheel (No. 31) only had to make the cut to pass over Mediate and get into the Tour Championship. He needed two birdies over the final four holes, but instead made two bogeys and shot 74.
Bob Estes (No. 33) shot 69 and can move into the top 30 with a good weekend. Ditto for Briny Baird (No. 34), who shot 66 and was only three shots behind Goosen.
Phil Mickelson ended his season on a dour note with rounds of 80-74 to miss the cut. He will miss the Tour Championship for the first time since he started playing a full PGA Tour schedule in 1993. The next time he'll play for money is at the Skins Game.