Cromwell, Conn. ? Peter Jacobsen and Jay Haas, a couple of almost-seniors, should start to get the attention that leaders at a PGA Tour event should get.

Suzy Whaley, who stole the spotlight in the first two rounds of the Greater Hartford Open, didn’t make the cut Friday, and now all the focus will be on the men who did.

Jacobsen shot a 3-under 67 Friday and was one stroke ahead of Haas, his first-round co-leader.

The two 49-year-olds are in contention for their first PGA Tour win in years.

Jacobsen, a former GHO champion, hasn’t won on tour since 1995, while it has been a decade since Haas finished on top.

Jacobsen’s opening 63 was his best round of the year.

“Definitely, my best golf is behind me. I realize that,” Jacobsen said. “That doesn’t mean I can’t play well for four days or string eight or 10 rounds together and possibly win a tournament.”

The good friends will be in the final group for today’s third round. They came out of tour school the same year and watched each other’s children grow. Friday, they kept track of each other closely on the leaderboard.

“I don’t know the last time we were paired together coming down the stretch and both having a chance to win,” Haas said.

They played together in the first round at Memphis this year, and Haas shot a 64.

“I enjoyed playing with Peter. I enjoyed talking,” Haas said. “I’m sure there won’t be a shortage of that tomorrow.”

The round of the day belonged to a relative youngster.

Tour rookie Darron Stiles, 30, shot a 7-under 63, his best round of the season. He was tied for third Willie Wood (66) and Paul Goydos (65) at 132.

“The overall key today was I hit iron shots really good,” Stiles said. “I hit a lot of them really close and made the putts.”

Three-time defending champion Phil Mickelson barely made the cut. He had a 73 Friday and was at even par.

“I just threw shot away after shot,” Mickelson said.