Briton Storm launches second round as US PGA leader

TULSA, Oklahoma, Aug 10 (Reuters) Tournament leader Graeme Storm of Britain launched the second round of the US PGA Championship today with a par at the first on what promised to be another sweltering day at Southern Hills.

Storm, who held a two-shot lead over 1991 winner John Daly after a first-round 65, drove his tee shot into the first cut of rough on the right, hit to the back fringe of the green and got up and down with a delicate chip to remain five under par.

Daly, whose world ranking has plummeted to 423rd, was due to tee off from the 10th hole at 1405 (1905GMT).

Only 12 players broke par in the opening round, including British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland (69), who was just beginning his round from the 10th tee.

Also at one under par were 2006 US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy and his fellow-Australian John Senden, Briton Lee Westwood, Austrian Markus Brier, Colombian Camilo Villegas and American Mark Wilson.

They were one stroke behind Canadian Stephen Ames and Americans Arron Oberholser and Woody Austin, who shot 68s on Thursday.

World number one Tiger Woods, who opened with a one-over 71, was teeing off at 1350 (1850 GMT).

Woods, 31, is chasing his first major title in 12 months but will have to buck past form to notch his 13th career major. The American has won only one major after starting over par, in the 2005 Masters where he triumphed after an opening two-over 74.

Storm, ranked 128, upstaged the biggest names in golf with his 65, his best major championship round by far.

In five previous majors he had missed the cut four times and tied for 78th at the 2005 British Open. He entered the PGA with a major championship scoring average of 77.58.

Temperatures were expected to hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) again.

In yesterday's first round, emergency medical services treated 27 patients, nearly all with heat-related complaints, and three people were taken to hospital for further care.

REUTERS BJR HS1931