Jones closes in on Texas lead

Chris Stroud has claimed the lead at the halfway point of the Valero Texas Open but Australian Matt Jones is just three strokes off the pace after signing off on a six-under 64 score on Friday.

Stroud also managed to post six-under, rising from a tie for 10th on the leaderboard into the outright lead, two strokes ahead of Paul Goydos (66), Tim Petrovic (65) and Tim Herron (67).

But Australian first-round leader Nathan Green couldn't hold onto his advantage, following up a sensational first round 62 with a disappointing 75 on Friday that leaves him seven strokes adrift of Stroud and all but out of contention.

Jones, however, enjoyed an all-but perfect round, posting seven birdies throughout the day, with his only blemish being a bogey on 17.

Just one stroke further back is compatriot Mark Hensby, who followed up a solid 68 on the first day with a four-under 66 that included six birdies and a double-bogey.

Further back, New Zealand's Tim Wilkinson (69) is level with Australian Steve Allan (70) at four-under overall, one-stroke ahead of Green.

The first-round leader actually turned for home at even-par but a disastrous back nine that saw him concede three bogeys and a double bogey effectively ended his chances.

Steve Elkington (70) is the only other Australasian to have beaten par over the first two days, while Aussies Matthew Goggin (73), Nick Flanagan (72) and Gavin Coles (72) are all on even par overall.

Second Round of The Texas Open (Par 70)

-10: Chris Stroud 66 64
-8: Paul Goydos 66 66, Tim Petrovic 67 65, Tim Herron 65 67
-7: Matt Jones (Australia) 69 64, Olin Browne 64 69, Kevin Streelman 70 63, Rory Sabbatini 67 66, Kevin Stadler 67 66, Jimmy Walker 67 66, Michael H Thompson 68 65, Jeff Overton 69 64, Jeff Ogilvie 66 67
-6: Scott Verplank 68 66, Chez Reavie 67 67, Mark Wilson 68 66, David Toms 68 66, Paul Claxton 64 70, Craig Kanada 69 65, Jason Allred 68 66, Mark Hensby (Australia) 68 66
Also:
-4: Tim Wilkinson (New Zealand) 67 69, Steve Allan (Australia) 66 70
-3: Nathan Green (Australia) 62 75, Nick O’Hern (Australia) 65 72
-2: Steve Elkington (Australia) 68 70
E: Matthew Goggin (Australia) 67 73, Nick Flanagan (Australia) 68 72, Gavin Coles (Australia) 68 72
+1: John Senden (Australia) 73 68
+2: Rod Pampling (Australia) 70 72
+3: Peter Lonard (Australia) 70 73
+5: Jason Day (Australia) 77 68, Brett Rumford (Australia) 70 75
+6: Phil Tataurangi (New Zealand) 73 73
+8: Phil Buckle 69 79
Disqualified: David Lutterus (Australia) 77 70