Johnson and Gore back up 65s with solid Fridays

Early Thursday morning always brings a couple of names into the forefront. Sometimes these players are well-known, and sometime nobody knows who they are. Sometimes they stay in contention all week, and sometimes they fade away.

This week, early Thursday belonged to Kevin Johnson and Jason Gore, who each shot 65 to share the (very) early lead, before Casey Wittenberg posted a 63 late. Johnson and Gore are certainly well-known names around the Nationwide circuit, with this being Johnson's 346th start and Gore's 209th.

The veterans know how to back up a solid round by now, and they did so Friday. Each shot 3-under 68 to finish tied for 4th, three shots back of leader Jim Herman.

Even though the scores were a bit higher, both players know that their play kept them in the hunt. And they feel good about it.

"It was good to get in," Johnson said. "I made some good putts, finished real strong."

Even though he didn't feel that he started off too great, Johnson closed well with birdies on three of his last five holes. He had missed eight cuts in a row - and said he played like it to start to day

"I didn't start too great, and then I kind of got ahead of myself," Johnson said. "I was like 'man, this is a little strange' (since) it's not like I was leading the tournament or anything.

But he settled down after an opening bogey, with his only mishap being a double on 13, and birdied 17 and 18 to post 68.

As a result, the 2006 champion finds himself in back in contention here in Wichita. Even though he didn't see it coming at the start of the week.

"I'd be lying to you if I said I had," Johnson said. "But over my career I've played well here, I've had some good rounds here. So if it's going to be a remedy, this is probably the place."

So far, so good.

As for Gore, steady play was the name of the game on Friday. The Valencia, CA resident made fifteen pars and three birdies, with only one birdie aside from the short par-5 14th and 18th.

Gore has played well on the Nationwide circuit in 2012, making five cuts in seven starts - with three top-25 finishes. But Gore is still searching for his first top-10 of the season, and he has put himself in position to do so this week.

Like Johnson, Gore finds no reason to complain about his round Friday.

"I didn't make as many putts today, but that's okay," Gore said. "I didn't make any bogeys either. I played solid, just trying to be patient."

With his best 2012 finish being a tie for 12th, Gore relishes the chance to finally get in contention. After two rounds, he is right there, and looking forward to the weekend.

And his game plan is simple. Just play well. "Just going to go out there and keep trying to make good swings." Gore said. "Depending on the weather, just go out there and play solid, and don't do anything real dumb. Try to make some birdies here and there, and add them up at the end."

Johnson and Gore will play together on Saturday, teeing off at 12:30 CT.