MILWAUKEE - Carlos Franco hates to practice. He showed up at Brown Deer Park on Friday and didn't hit a shot at the range before teeing off.
He didn't need to.
Franco tied his best round on the PGA Tour with 7-under-par 63 to take the 36-hole lead at the U.S. Bank Championship with 9-under-par 131 total, one shot ahead of steady Rich Beem. Scott Hoch (65), Bo Van Pelt (68) and Patrick Sheehan (68) were two shots back at 133.
"When I came here in 1999, 100 percent no practice," said Franco, who won the event formerly known as the Greater Milwaukee Open in 1999.
Franco said he gets good-natured grief from Vijay Singh, the notorious practice advocate, for his just-play philosophy.
"He tells me, 'Practice more, practice more.' I say, 'I don't like it. Maybe I need it, but I don't like it,'" Franco said. "I'd rather go fishing."
SENIOR BRITISH OPEN: Don Pooley birdied three of the first five holes in a round of par 72 Friday and shared the lead with Mark McNulty, Peter Oakley and Carl Mason halfway through the Senior British Open.
Tom Kite is among three players one stroke behind. Defending champion Tom Watson, his neck and shoulder ailing, is eight shots off the pace.
If Pooley wins the title at Royal Portrush on Sunday, two-thirds of his titles will be majors.
"I feel great. This is the first time I've been to Ireland, so it's fun for me," said Pooley, who missed a chance of the outright lead when he sent an approach into a bunker and bogeyed the last hole.
"I got off to a great start. I love links golf and the variety of shots out there. I love this course. I liked it the first day I saw it."
EVIAN MASTERS: Annika Sorenstam took a three-shot lead with an impressive 7-under 65 during a storm-filled third round.
In a hallmark display of cool, controlled play, the world No. 1 had seven birdies to take the lead from overnight leader Karen Stupples.
"What can I say? I hit a lot of good irons and was solid all day," said Sorenstam, who had five birdie putts from inside 4 feet. "Even when I made a mistake, I was able to make par, and even a tap-in birdie at the 18th."
IRISH OPEN: Australian Peter Lonard shot 2-under-par 70 Friday to take a two-stroke lead after the second round.
Lonard led South Africa's James Kingston, whose 68 included birdies from the second to the sixth holes for the second straight round, and Scotland's Stephen Gallacher (70).
Englishmen Roger Chapman and Steve Webster, Brett Rumford of Australia, Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen and France's Raphael Jacquelin were three shots back.
Lonard, who is at 10 under for the tournament, has a home in Orlando, Fla., and plays on the PGA Tour. Even though he has the lead, Lonard says he is better prepared to play when in the United States.
"That tour all you have to do is basically look after your golf," said Lonard, who tied for fifth at the Scottish Open two weeks ago.
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