By MARY FOSTER
AP Golf Writer
Copyright 1996 the Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Lennie Clements had the lead after two rounds of the Freeport-McMoran Classic, but Tom Watson had the gallery.

By the time Watson, who has not won a PGA event in nine years, dragged a huge crowd to the 18th hole, he was at 10-under-par 134, one shot behind Clements in the $1.2 million event, and on a roll.

``That's two good days in a row,'' Watson said. ``It feels really good.'' After shooting a 4-under-par 68 in the first round, Watson played even Friday over the first three holes, then collected seven birdies and a bogey down the stretch over the 7,116-yard English Turn Golf & Country Club course.

Clements, winless in 16 years on the tour, started the day at 67, one shot off the lead. After three pars, Clements made six birdies to take the lead.

``My goal on the back was to get to 10-under,'' Clements said. ``The few greens I missed, I was in-between clubs. When I was, I left myself short and still had a play.''

Scott McCarron finished at 9-under and five players were 7-under, including defending champion Davis Love III.

First-round leader Jim Furyk followed his 66 with a 72 to stand 6-under.

Clements made three of his six birdies on putts of a foot or less. On the 158-yard 12th hole, he hit a 6-iron to get to within 12 feet for a birdie. On the 542-yard 15th, Clements made a 2« foot putt for his final birdie of the day.

But Watson, who won the New Orleans tournament twice and tied for second in 1982, captured the crowd. By mid-afternoon, the gallery following him was cheering and chanting his name.

Watson made a 40-foot putt on No. 4, a 20-footer on No. 5, and a 3-footer on No. 6 for birdies, then missed a 5-foot putt on No. 9 for a bogey.

``I made some long putts and missed some short putts,'' Watson said. ``That's kind of typical for Watson lately - he's a little shaky on the short putts and makes the long ones.''

On the back nine, Watson had to two-putt from 15 feet on No. 11, but picked up another birdie. Then he sank putts of 20 feet, 12 feet and 8 feet for his final three birdies.

On the 471-yard 18th, Watson hit his first shot over the bunkers onto the middle of the fairway in a perfect approach. But his second shot slid off into the bunker.

``I used a nine and I should have hit an eight,'' Watson said. ``I misjudged the wind.'' The hole, dubbed the toughest on the PGA Tour in 1991, has an angular green enveloped by bunkers. Squinting into the setting sun, Watson hit it out of the bunker and made a 4-foot putt for par.

``It's a lot like making a birdie to make par on that hole,'' Watson said. ``Especially the way I've been making short putts.''

Watson, who has 32 PGA victories, including The Masters and U.S. Open, and eight international titles, has played some good rounds this year and last, only to have trouble on the final day.

``I've played well, but I'm averaging 74 on the final round,'' Watson said. ``You can't win shooting 74 on the last day.''

Watson's New Orleans victories came before the tournament moved to the Jack Nicklaus-designed English Turn course. With two good rounds behind him, Watson said he was enjoying playing and not feeling pressure.

``If I can get the putter working, and that's a big if, but if I can do something that gets the confidence going, I'll win again,'' Watson said.