By Steve Yingling
Nevada Appeal News Service
STATELINE " A familiar name ascended to the top of the American Century Championship leaderboard in the second round on Saturday.
Former major league pitcher Rick Rhoden put on a dazzling display from tee to green at Edgewood-Tahoe Golf Course, but only the erratic putting of the six-time champion prevented him from building a bigger lead.
Rhoden fired an even-par round of 72 and owns a two-point lead with an overall score of plus-45 in the Stableford scoring format.
"I made five birdies, but if felt like I made none, because I had so many good chances" said Rhoden, who hasn't won the tournament since 2003. "As well as I'm hitting it, I should have a lot more. You always feel like you can do better, but I'm leading the tournament so I guess I should be as happy as hell. I missed a lot of short putts."
In hot pursuit of the one-time Dodgers pitcher are Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who is two points behind, first-round leader Jeremy Roenick and retired NHL player Pierre Larouche, who are four off the pace.
Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor made a surprise leap to the top of the heap early in the second round and led until tiring over the final stretch of holes. Like Rhoden, he shot a 72 and is six points behind the leader.
"It's a long golf course. I usually take a cart to the green," said Taylor, who once starred for the New York Giants.
The biggest move of the day was made by Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway. Elway began play 16 points off the lead, but he cut that deficit in half with a tournament-low round of 68. His 27-point output included five birdies and only one bogey.
Romo stumbled on the first hole, falling into the pond as he played a recovery shot bordering the left side of the fairway. The dip in the pond left him wet from the waist down, and he could have been completely soaked if not for the assistance of playing partner Roenick.
"I had to come to his rescue. I came running at him and pulled him out," Roenick said. "That was the difference from getting his pants wet and his whole body wet."
Romo still holed out for a bogey en route to a 1-over 73. His 20-point day left him at plus-43 points.
He was unavailable for comment afterward, being whisked away with girlfriend Jessica Simpson, who made her first appearance of the week.
"He was a true warrior. He battled through a lot of adversity. He hit some bad shots and tough breaks, but he still made some really good shots," Roenick said.
Defending champion Chris Chandler made a front-nine charge but was slowed by a double bogey on No. 11, finishing with 35 total points. Former winners Dan Quinn, Mark Rypien and Jack Wagner gave themselves a chance to win on Sunday by playing their way into the top eight.
Quinn followed an opening-round 76 with a 1-under 71 to build his point total to a fifth-best 39. Rypien also has 39 points after shooting 72. Wagner struggled to a 75, but birdied the final hole to climb into the eighth spot at 37.
NOTE: Jim McMahon, formerly of the Chicago Bears, was the most noticeable player on the course Saturday. He wore multi-colored polka dot pants and no shoes ... Michael Jordan, who won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, sputtered with a round of minus-six points, leaving him in a 59th-place tie with actor/comedian Ray Romano ... Charles Barkley, who climbed out of the basement for one day, returned to the bottom of the field at minus-55.