The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ga. - Ed Dougherty and Bobby Wadkins had 5-under 65s Friday and shared the first-round lead in the inaugural Columbus Southern Open. Dougherty birdied his final hole about an hour after Wadkins closed with a three-putt bogey.

They were one shot ahead of Des Smyth, Tom Kite, Walter Hall, Dana Quigley and Morris Hatalsky in The Champions Tour event at Green Island Country Club.

Wadkins is one of the many golfers who played here more than a decade ago in the PGA Tour's defunct Southern Open, which moved up the road to Callaway Gardens and became the Buick Challenge before folding last fall.

"It was enjoyable to come back to Green Island," said Dougherty, whose birdie came on No. 9 when he hit a 6-iron within 15 feet.

KROGER CLASSIC: Cincinnati-based Sara Lee Foods has signed an agreement to become the presenting sponsor of the Champions Tour event Sept. 1-7 at the TPC at River's Bend. The two-day pro-am involving the over-50 touring pro and corporate leaders to be called the Sara Lee Pro-Am.

LPGA TOUR: Catriona Matthew shot an 8-under 64, one shot better than Lorie Kane, and both finished the second round of the Corning Classic at 132, one stroke ahead of Meg Mallon, who had a 66.

Helen Alfredsson, Juli Inkster and Karen Stupples were tied for fourth at 10-under, while Hall of Famer Beth Daniel was at 135.

EUROPEAN TOUR: Darren Clarke birdied the last two holes for a 3-under-par 69 and held a one-stroke lead halfway through the Volvo PGA Championship in Virginia Water, England.

Clarke led for the second straight day and was at 9-under 135, with Niklas Fasth in second place after a 67. Tied at 137 are two-time winner Ian Woosnam (69), Soren Hansen (68), Kenneth Ferrie (67) and Robert Rock (68).

"Patience is being severely tested at the moment," Clarke said. "Again, I have to keep playing the way I have been, and hopefully my scores will get better."

Ernie Els birdied the last two holes for his second straight 69 to join a large group three shots behind. He is trying to win this event for the first time in eight attempts.

Els is returning after three weeks off with a wrist injury. His round was hurt by three-putt greens at the 10th and 15th.