MIDLOTHIAN -- Chip Sullivan continued his hot streak Friday and shares the lead entering weekend play at the 2008 State Open of Virginia.

Sullivan, the director of golf at Ashley Plantation in Daleville, is tied with amateur Roger Newsom at 7-under 137 for the championship.

Sullivan had 4-under 68 on the second day, while Newsome, a 44-year-old ophthalmologist from Virginia Beach, shot a 2-under 70.

Five players are three back at 4-under 140, including first-round leader and 2005 champion Ted Brown.

In shooting 4 under Friday, Sullivan -- who has never won the state open -- rode a strong ball-striking round in which he missed only one green to own a share of the overnight lead.

"The bottom line is that I hit the ball well, had control over it and felt good out there. I hit a lot of good shots," said Sullivan, who just won the Maryland Open for the fourth time earlier this week. "I'm looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully, some more putts will start dropping and I'll keep hitting the ball just as well."

Normally focused only on his game during competitive events, Newsom had a welcome distraction Friday, celebrating his 21st wedding anniversary with his wife, Susan.

Newsom had three birdies against a bogey Friday and continued his strong play in competitive events, having finished as the runner-up in the VSGA State Am and he placed fifth at last week's Eastern Amateur.

Following Friday's second round, the field was cut to the low 70 players and ties, with exactly 70 players (44 amateurs and 26 professionals) at 6-over-par 150 making the cut for the final two rounds, which are set for today and Sunday.

Roanoke-area golfers making the cut included amateur Hampton Ballard of Pearisburg, who shot a 2-under 70 and is at 143 -- six shots behind the leaders.

Also making the cut was David Schmidt of Wytheville (144), Chris Dillow of Bland (144), Vincent Nadeau of Penhook (147), Lanto Griffin of Blacksburg (149) and recent Floyd County High School graduate Michael Wade (150).

Three-time champion Keith Decker of Martinsville also made the cut, but is 13 strokes out of the lead at 149.

Brown followed his 6-under 66 with a 74 on Friday and is among the five players tied for third.

Among those who did not qualify for the final 36 holes was defending champion and Radford University graduate Joshua Meador.