Bohn two shots ahead in Charlotte

By Andrew Both

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Reuters) - American Jason Bohn rediscovered his putting touch to secure a two-stroke lead in the second round of the Wachovia Championship on Friday.

Bohn tamed testing winds at Quail Hollow to shoot a five-under-par 67. That score was matched by compatriot Anthony Kim, who was in second spot, as well as Jim Furyk, Dudley Hart and George McNeill three shots off the pace in third.

First-round leader David Toms slipped down the leaderboard after a 75 and Phil Mickelson had a poor finish, with double bogeys on 15 and 18, for a 74.

"The past few weeks I've started to play a little better and I did a lot of nice things today, so I'm kind of happy," said Bohn after carding a combined nine-under 135 at the halfway mark.

The 35-year-old said changes to his putting game helped.

"I've changed a little bit of my left-hand grip, but the biggest change is my putter got lengthened," he said.

"My coach has been wanting me to do this for over a year and I just didn't feel comfortable, but finally I wised up and listened to him.

"My strike is much more solid now. It was getting out of hand. I was starting to lose some confidence."

Bohn has one PGA Tour victory, the B.C. Open in 2005, but is best known for winning $1 million in 1992 at a hole-in-one competition in Alabama.

He was a college player at the time, but the annual $50,000 installments allowed him to pursue his professional aspirations.

"It was a life changing experience. In all honesty, it is the only reason I'm sitting here today," he added.

Adam Scott, winner of last week's Byron Nelson Championship, just made the cut, sinking a 14-footer at the last to advance to the final two rounds, 10 shots off the pace.

However, Masters champion Trevor Immelman made an early exit for the second week in a row.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)