Former Rebel in striking distance

Ryan Moore has yet to win on the PGA Tour. And it wasn't lost on him the idea that his first Tour victory might come where he played in college.

The former UNLV standout shot an 8-under-par 64 Friday in the second round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and is tied for seventh place at 130 heading into today's third round at TPC Summerlin. Moore, who is 14 under par through two rounds, is four shots out of the lead.

"I'm feeling very comfortable out there," said Moore, a former All-American for the Rebels. "The conditions are perfect, and I had a solid round. I'm just trying to keep up with everyone else.

"I love this area. I really do. I enjoy any chance to get back here, and playing good golf on top of that is always a bonus. I'm driving the ball well, and I'm making some putts. I'm just trying to be patient and know that you can rattle off five or six birdies real quick."

Moore has former UNLV teammate Troy Denton caddying for him this weekend. He said Denton is helping to keep him loose on the course.

"We always have fun out there when we're together," Moore said.

Moore again was wearing a headband as he played his round.

"I'm trying to keep people on their toes and change it up every now and again for fun," he said with a laugh.

Rebels coach Dwaine Knight walked with Moore on Friday and said Moore's play has been impressive.

"He looks very confident," Knight said. "I think he's going to have a big week."

Moore said he's not going to become more aggressive the rest of the weekend now that he has made the cut.

"I'm doing all right so far," he said. "I don't see any reason to change."

• CUT NOTABLES -- The cut Friday came at 6 under par, which meant the end of the tournament for some pretty good golfers.

Paul Azinger, Jeff Quinney, Rory Sabbatini, Scott McCarron, Billy Mayfair, Steve Elkington, John Daly and former UNLV All-American Chris Riley were among those who missed the cut.

Rocco Mediate, who shot a 1-under 71 in Thursday's first round, withdrew before the second round, as did Tommy Armour III, who was battling sinus issues following his first-round score of 71. No explanation was given for Mediate's withdrawal.

The last of the 83 players in at 6 under or better was Casey Bourque, who needed to make a birdie on his final hole (No. 9) to get to the cutoff. He drained a 3-foot birdie putt to extend his weekend. Bourque will make a minimum of $7,800 for surviving the cut.

• NO DOGS ALLOWED -- If there was an award for chutzpah, it would have to go to the woman who tried to sneak her dog into the tournament Friday.

The woman placed her dog, reportedly a toy Schnauzer weighing a couple of pounds, into her Louis Vutton bag as she passed through security. When the pooch was discovered, the woman claimed it was her "seeing-eye dog."

The woman and her dog were denied entry to the grounds, and she left TPC Summerlin in a huff.

• FREE CLINIC -- Renowned golf instructor Butch Harmon and Timberlake will stage a free clinic at 5 p.m. today by the practice driving range.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.