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By Joel Schuchmann
PGA TOUR Staff
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico - The 18- and 36-hole leader John Merrick continued his strong play Friday with his second consecutive bogey-free round, posting a 2-under-par 68. He was tied for seventh through 36 holes last year and finished tied for 48th.
The scoring average on Friday was almost three strokes over par, the highest single-round stroke average on the PGA TOUR in relation to par thus far in 2008. The previous high was the final round at the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines South Course, 74.788.
Playing in his first PGA TOUR event since the 2006 Chrysler Championship, Nick Price (tied for eighth) as played his way into the top-10 with rounds of 70-68. Price (18 PGA TOUR wins) was paired the first two rounds with Corey Pavin (15 PGA TOUR wins) and Joe Durant (four PGA TOUR wins). Price's last top-10 was a tie for ninth at the 2005 U.S. Open.
Despite a 2-over-par 72, Kenneth Ferrie did not lose much ground on Friday, falling from a tie for second to a tie for fifth.
The cut fell at 4 over par, the highest 36-hole cut since 5 over par was the cut at the 2007 PGA Championship. In terms of non-majors, it was the highest cut since 4 over par was the cut at the 2007 AT&T National. Other recent over-par cuts came at the 2007 Buick Invitational (1 over) and the 2007 Northern Trust Open (3 over).
Defending champion Fred Funk posted rounds of 73-71 and made the cut on the number at 4 over.
Gonzalo Fernandez was disqualified as he was more than five minutes late to the first tee for his 12:25 p.m. tee time.
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