Scott Brown zooms into lead at Rex Open

RALEIGH -- Scott Brown appears to be getting closer each year to winning the Rex Hospital Open.

A year ago, Brown shot a first-round 62 to take the lead in the Nationwide Tour event. Today, the former South Carolina-Aiken golfer had an 8-under-par 63 at TPC Wakefield Plantation to zoom into the second-round lead.

Brown, who had eight birdies in a bogey-free round, was at 10-under 132. Martin Flores, who bogeyed the final hole, was at 133 after a 67.

Tied for third at 8-under 134 were 2007 Rex champion Kyle Thompson and Ryan Armour, who both had 66s. Thompson played college golf at South Carolina, and Armour is a former Ohio State golfer who was third in the 2005 Rex event.

One those making the biggest moves Friday was Raleigh native Ty Tryon. Playing on a sponsor's exemption and making his first Nationwide appearance of the year, Tryon had a second-round 64 after opening with a 75.

It was Tryon's career-best round on the PGA or Nationwide tours and assured he would make the 36-hole cut.

"It's a great feeling," said Tryon, who was born at Rex Hospital.

Carter Jenkins, 15, was one of the day's late starters and struggled to an 80. Jenkins, a rising junior at Leesville Road High, opened with a 76 in his first appearance in a professional event.

"It was wild and it really hit me today," Jenkins said.

Brown followed up last year's 62 with rounds of 72 and 68, tying for sixth as the tournament's final round was washed out.

"My ball-striking has been good all week," Brown said. "Yesterday I threw a round away. .. I played good (but) I made one bad swing.

"So I knew I had a good one in me today if I could come out and do the same things over again."