Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Ken Duke shot a 6-under-par 66 today in the Reno Tahoe Open and glided into the weekend at 4-under for 36 holes.

Duke, the Hope native and Henderson State grad who will play next week in the PGA Championship at Southern Hills in Tulsa, shot 2-over on on a shaky Thursday with five bogeys, but he came out firing Friday with five birdies in his first six holes. Duke's only bogey of the day came on the par-4 10th hole. He added birdies on Nos. 11 and 17.

Naturally, a 6-under round meant driving accuracy and putting were on for Duke -- he drive fairways 86 percent of the day, averaged 318.5 on the day, and needed just 24 putts for the round. He hit two-thirds of his greens in regulation.

Tag Ridings, the former Razorback golfer, continued his strong play, shooting 1-under on Friday to finish 36 holes at 5-under. Steve Flesch, the first day leader, was at 12-under halfway through his Friday round at last look.

Former Hog Craig Lile was flirting with the cutline at 1-under early in his Friday round.

The projected cut was 1-under par. Bryce Molder, who fired a 1-under 71 on Thursday, recorded a 2-over 74 on Friday and wasn't expected to make the cut at even par. Glen Day was a 9-over early in his Friday afternoon round.

UPDATE: Check that. Molder made the cut after all when the cut dropped to even late in the day. Craig Lile also made the cut by finishing at 1-under for 36 holes.

Little Rock's Ron Whittaker was at 8-under after two rounds of the Nationwide's Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open. Both Pappas brothers, Deane and Brendan, were safely in above the whopping 5-under cutline in the event as well, with Deane Pappas at 6-under and Brendan at the cut line. Fellow former Hog Rich Morris failed to make the cut, shooting 3-under.