Pernice fires 63 to grab share of AT&T lead

BETHESDA, Maryland (Reuters) - Tom Pernice shot a seven-under-par 63 to seize a share of the lead with Jeff Overton midway through the second round of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club on Friday.

Pernice, 48, had eight birdies and one bogey on the challenging 7,255-yard, par 70 course that will host the 2011 U.S. Open.

"I've been playing well and you never know when a round like this is going to jump up," said Pernice. "I'm thrilled at my position.

"Shooting a 63, seven-under-par around this golf course is pretty special."

Pernice's 63 put him level with Overton at nine-under with 36 holes to play. The duo were four shots clear of their closest challengers.

The 25-year-old Overton shot a bogey-free 65 to complement Thursday's opening round 66 and put himself in position to win his first championship.

"The three fairways I missed, I birdied all three of them," said Overton, who had made the cut just eight times in 18 tournaments this year.

"Anytime you do that, you're going to be doing pretty good."

Overnight leader Steve Marino was at even-par midway through Friday's second round and was tied for third at five-under with fellow Steve Stricker and Australian Rod Pampling.

Stricker was one-over after the opening round but shot a 64 Friday to jump into contention. He birdied the first two holes and continued to play aggressively.

"After birdieing one and two, it's easy to let up and just play conservatively and maybe make a bogey," Stricker said. "But I tried to keep the momentum going."

(Editing by Justin Palmer)