Romero Siezes Lead at Charles Schwab Championship

SONOMA, Calif. (AP) -- Eduardo Romero took the second-round lead in the Champions Tour season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship, shooting a 4-under 68 on Friday for a one-stroke advantage over Denis Watson and Jim Thorpe.

Romero, the Argentine who won the 2006 JELD-WEN Tradition for his lone title on the 50-and-over tour, had a 12-under 132 total on the Sonoma Golf Club course.

Watson shot a 64, and Thorpe, the 2003 and 2006 winner, had a 69. Thorpe earned the last spot in the field, edging Tom Jenkins by $4,079 for 30th place on the order of merit.

Brad Bryant, one of four players in contention in the Charles Schwab Cup race for a $1 million annuity, shot a 67 to join Tom Purtzer (67) and Joe Ozaki (65) at 9 under. Mark James (70) was 8 under.

Jay Haas, 165 points behind leader Loren Roberts in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, was 6 under after a 70. Roberts was 3 under after a 70. Tom Watson, seeking his fourth victory in the season-ending tournament, was 1 over after a 71.

Watson entered the week 694 points behind Roberts, and Bryant was 697 points back. The tournament winner will receive 880 points.