(May 21, 2012 - Edmonton, AB) - Joe Panzeri claimed the new course record at Windermere Golf and Country Club with a nine-under 62 and grabbed a four-shot lead at the halfway point of the 2012 ATB Financial Classic presented by TELUS. 

 

Panzeri made five straight birdies from the ninth to 13th holes and made zero bogeys, eclipsing the previous record of 63 by Australia's Adam Bland. His 13-under par total gives him a five shot lead over Scott Harrington, Ryan Williams and Nick Taylor. 

 

"To do that in a tournament like this and under a lot of pressure was a lot of fun," said Panzeri. 

 

After finding the right rough with his approach on the challenging, par-four 18th, Panzeri said he knew it would be a challenge to get up and down. But after a deft pitch to three feet and a solid putt, the record was his. 

 

"With the soft greens I was able to be a little bit more aggressive than normal," said Panzeri. "I hit a great shot."

 

The second round was interrupted by a delay of three hours and 34 minutes due to inclement weather and suspended due to darkness at 9:34 PM MDT. With a handful of groups still left on the course, play is set to resume at 7:30 AM MDT, with the third round scheduled to start at 10 AM. 

 

Thursday's co-leaders Harrington and Williams posted matching scores for the second straight day, firing one-under 70s to tie for second at eight under. Taylor fired a six-under 65 to join them. 

 

Williams and Taylor are the low Canadians so far. The 36-hole cut, which will be made immediately following the conclusion of round two, is currently projected at one-under.

 

Windermere member Steven Lecuyer sits five-under through 17 holes, while locals Danny Sahl and Wilson Bateman sit at one-under.