MILWAUKEE — Greg Chalmers stayed on top of the leaderboard yesterday, firing a second-round 67 to build a two-shot lead in the U.S. Bank Championship.

A day after blustery conditions made the field post the worst scores in a round since 2004, no one passed the smooth putting, left-handed Australian who was nicknamed "Snake" by friends as a play off his last name. After an opening-round 64, Chalmers was at 9-under 131.

While Chalmers charmed, fellow first-round leader Jeff Klauk shot a 69 to finish two strokes behind along with Chris Riley (66) and Kris Blanks (63).

Punahou School alum Parker McLachlin shot a second-round 68 for a 138 total.

Castle High alum Dean Wilson missed the cut after shooting a 74 for a 147 total.

Temperatures plunged into the 60s and rain showers made it feel closer to the British Open at Turnberry than summertime in the Midwest at a tournament that's looking for a new title sponsor to return next year.

Chalmers again made a mistake early, this time after starting his day at No. 10. He bogeyed the par-3 14th after his wayward tee shot left him needing a 12-foot putt to make par. But, just like Thursday's opening round, Chalmers came on strong with birdies at Nos. 17 and 18. He also had consecutive birdies at Nos. 4 and 5 for the second straight day.

"It was a bit of a battle for me off the tee today, but it was a working-man's 3 under," he said.

AMERICAN CENTURY

COWBOYS QB ROMO TOPS AT 3-UNDER 69, 27 POINTS

STATELINE, Nev. — Although golf's top players were in Scotland, there was some celebrity power at Lake Tahoe yesterday as Tony Romo shot a 3-under-par 69 to take the first-round lead and Charles Barkley avoided last place — barely — at the 20th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship.

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback and the NBA Hall of Famer- turned-television analyst are among 89 past and present sports stars, actors and politicians competing through tomorrow for the $600,000 purse at Edgewood-Tahoe Golf Course.

Romo had seven birdies including three of the first four holes.

"Anytime you can get off to a good start it makes it easier," he said. "It's all about consistency in this game. It's no different than any other sport."

Romo tallied 27 points in the modified Stableford format that awards six points for eagle, three for birdie, one for par, zero for bogey and minus-two for double bogey or worse.

Rick Rhoden, the former pitcher who has won the tourney a record seven times, was two points off the lead with 25 points. Next were NHL Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr with 24 and ex-quarterback Trent Dilfer with 23.

Romo declined to comment about his reported break-up with actress/singer Jessica Simpson.

Barkley, who was paired with actor Ray Romano, finished the day in second-to-last place with minus-30 points — six better than ultimate fighter Chuck Liddell.

ELSEWHERE

U.S. Amateur Public Linx: Top-seeded Nick Taylor of Canada has advanced to the finals of the U.S. Amateur Public Links at Norman, Okla., where he will face Brad Benjamin of Rockford, Ill.

Taylor defeated Oklahoma assistant golf coach Phillip Bryan, 3 and 2, in the semifinals to earn a spot in today's final. Taylor beat Wesley Bryan from South Carolina in the quarterfinals yesterday morning.

Benjamin made it to the finals with a 1-up win over Brandon Crick of McCook, Neb. The recent Memphis graduate sealed the win with a birdie on the 18th.

Futures Tour: Lihu'e's Lehua Wise shot an opening-round 68 and is four shots off the lead at the Futures Tour ING New England Classic at Bloomfield, Conn.

Wise, who played at New Mexico State, shot 34 on both the front and back nines at Wintonbury Hills Golf Course.

Song Yi Choi is in first at 64, with Gerina Mendoza, Kristie Smith and Nicole Jeray two back.