US Senior Open of Golf 2017: Kirk Triplett, Kenny Perry Tied for Lead

Kirk Triplett fired a three-under 67 in Friday's second round of the 2017 U.S. Senior Open to maintain his place atop the leaderboard at Salem Country Club in Peabody, Massachusetts. He's joined by Kenny Perry, who posted the day's best round at six-under par. 

Triplett, who opened the event with a blistering 62 on Thursday, and Perry both sit at 11-under overall. It's a score that sets the new 36-hole scoring record for the U.S. Senior Open, according to the USGA, and gives them a two-shot lead over the chase pack heading into the weekend's action.

Doug Garwood (-9) is holding onto third place, while Scott Verplank and Bernhard Langer (-8) currently round out the top five with play suspended late in Round 2 due to weather.

Here's a look at the current leaderboard (via USGA.org):

T-1 (-11): Kirk Triplett; Kenny Perry

3 (-9): Doug Garwood

T-4 (-8): Scott Verplank; Bernhard Langer

T-6 (-7): Tom Lehman; Fred Couples; Paul Goydos; Joe Durant (thru 17)

Triplett couldn't quite match his memorable Thursday round when he racked up six birdies and an eagle, but he put together another strong day to stay on top. He tallied four birdies and a bogey, his first dropped shot of the tournament, which came on the par-four eighth.

The 55-year-old American is seeking his first major title on the senior tour despite 10 prior finishes inside the top 10. His ability to keep himself out of trouble paints a positive picture about his chances, though favorable scoring conditions have helped.

PGA Tour Champions highlighted his birdie at No. 12:

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette passed along an interesting note about Triplett's record-setting pace:

Couples (-7) is among the players well within striking distance with two rounds to play. The two-time senior major champion and 1992 Masters winner carded a five-under 65 on Friday.

His only blemish was a bogey on the 18th, but otherwise his picture-perfect swing was in fine form en route to a six-birdie day. It represented a much-needed turnaround after an up-and-down first round.

PGA Tour Champions provided a look at some of his top shots from Day 2:

Meanwhile, Lehman (-7) has won a myriad of different events around the globe, highlighted by his 1996 triumph in the Open Championship. He also owns three senior major titles. But winning the U.S. Open or its senior counterpart has remained elusive.

The 58-year-old Minnesota native earned five finishes in the top six in the U.S. Open, including four straight starting in 1995, and has added three top-10s in the senior version of the event.

Jeff Babineau of Golfweek noted Lehman discussed trying to finally get a USGA title under his belt after Round 2.

"I've never won a USGA event of any kind," he said. "It would mean a great deal to me. This has always been my goal in life. If I could win any one tournament, it would be the U.S. Open. I didn't quite get there when I was younger. Don't know if I'll get there when I'm older either, but I sure like the effort – the trying. I sure like setting that goal and trying to shoot for it."

Add in Perry, Verplank, Langer and a host of other notable names and the stage is set for a star-studded battle down the stretch of the season's third major tournament.