Warren, McCarron make Saturday moves

VERONA, N.Y. -- Ridiculously low scores have been a hot topic of conversation on the PGA Tour of late. And while no one has threatened to break 60 yet this week at Atunyote Golf Club, Saturday saw a couple of struggling veterans take advantage of perfect, early-morning scoring conditions.

Both Charles Warren and Scott McCarron made the cut on the number to play on the weekend at the Turning Stone Resort Championship, but now both will likely find themselves in contention heading into Sunday. Warren shot a course-record-tying 63, while McCarron carded a 64.

"Today's one of the better putting days that I've had, and I just felt good on the putting greens before the round," said Warren, who has only made five cuts in 14 events this year. "It's definitely out there, but the key is obviously making putts. You can't shoot 9-under unless you're making putts."

Warren needed only 25 putts during his round. He made seven birdies and an eagle on the par-5 12th.

"I was shocked that the cut was 2-under, but being first out hopefully with a little less wind and soft greens, you just realize there's nowhere to go but up, you might as well," Warren said. "And I think that's kind of the mentality I'm going to have tomorrow as well, just go out and put the pedal to the medal."

McCarron made news early in the season with his comments that Phil Mickelson was cheating by using 20-year-old Ping Eye 2 wedges to combat the new groove rule. Outside of a T-7 at the Quail Hollow Championship, there hasn't been much to talk about since, but he's hoping this can be a big week.

"I got off to a nice start, birdied a couple holes early and, you know, kind of kept it going," McCarron said. "So I'm very happy with kind of getting back in the mix a little bit. I'm sure the guys will probably go low in the afternoon, but I'm just happy that I'm here playing on Saturday."

Both players finished their rounds before the final groups teed off in Saturday's third round.

McCarron enters this week at No. 145 on the FedEx Cup points list. Staying in his current position of T-2, however, he would earn enough points to move into the top 125, which would get him into the playoffs. But after suffering a neck injury that kept him from playing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, he's just glad to be swinging the club at all.

"I couldn't hit driver -- as a matter of fact, I couldn't even see the golf ball on my back swing, my head wouldn't turn," McCarron said. "But today I feel a little better, still feel pain on every shot, but I was able to manage it and at least field the ball a little bit better to give myself an opportunity to hit some irons."

-- Alex Myers