Bradley stays ahead, Guan exits
Source: Agencies |
May 19, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER champion Keegan Bradley maintained a three-shot lead in Friday's second round of the Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas, after grinding his way to a 1-under-par 69 in increasingly tricky conditions.
Three ahead of the chasing pack overnight after opening with a blistering course-record 60, Bradley had to contend with strengthening winds and firming greens en route to an 11-under total of 129.
American journeyman Tom Gillis (63) and South Korean Bae Sang-moon (66) were tied for second but China's 14-year-old Guan Tianlang made an early exit, missing his first PGA Tour cut in three career starts after battling to a 77.
A day after tying the tournament record of 60 held jointly by Sam Snead (1957) and Arron Oberholser (2006), Bradley mixed four birdies with three bogeys to preserve his place at the top of the leaderboard.
Though he dropped his final shot of the day at the par-4 last where his tee shot sailed well right and he failed to get up and down from left of the green, he was delighted with his score.
"I'm really happy shooting 69," Bradley, winner here in 2011 before going on to claim his first major title at the PGA Championship just three months later, told reporters.
"I'm almost more proud of this round than yesterday because I didn't feel comfortable all day. I was a little uncomfortable and then I settled it and hit some really good shots."
While Gillis, 44, bidding for his first PGA Tour title, was among several players in the morning wave who took advantage of calmer weather and preferred lies on a layout softened by rain earlier in the week, Chinese sensation Guan plummeted down the leaderboard.
Guan, who made his second consecutive PGA Tour cut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last month, followed his opening 70 with a 77 to finish well outside the cutline of level-par 140.
Competing this week on a sponsor's exemption, Guan carded five bogeys, two birdies and two double-bogeys, the last of them coming on his final hole, the ninth, where his tee shot ended up in water.
"I won't make the cut every time, but I think I learned more," Guan said.
The teenager has been one of the biggest talking points in golf since he became the youngest player to make the cut in a major championship at the Masters five weeks ago.
Three ahead of the chasing pack overnight after opening with a blistering course-record 60, Bradley had to contend with strengthening winds and firming greens en route to an 11-under total of 129.
American journeyman Tom Gillis (63) and South Korean Bae Sang-moon (66) were tied for second but China's 14-year-old Guan Tianlang made an early exit, missing his first PGA Tour cut in three career starts after battling to a 77.
A day after tying the tournament record of 60 held jointly by Sam Snead (1957) and Arron Oberholser (2006), Bradley mixed four birdies with three bogeys to preserve his place at the top of the leaderboard.
Though he dropped his final shot of the day at the par-4 last where his tee shot sailed well right and he failed to get up and down from left of the green, he was delighted with his score.
"I'm really happy shooting 69," Bradley, winner here in 2011 before going on to claim his first major title at the PGA Championship just three months later, told reporters.
"I'm almost more proud of this round than yesterday because I didn't feel comfortable all day. I was a little uncomfortable and then I settled it and hit some really good shots."
While Gillis, 44, bidding for his first PGA Tour title, was among several players in the morning wave who took advantage of calmer weather and preferred lies on a layout softened by rain earlier in the week, Chinese sensation Guan plummeted down the leaderboard.
Guan, who made his second consecutive PGA Tour cut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last month, followed his opening 70 with a 77 to finish well outside the cutline of level-par 140.
Competing this week on a sponsor's exemption, Guan carded five bogeys, two birdies and two double-bogeys, the last of them coming on his final hole, the ninth, where his tee shot ended up in water.
"I won't make the cut every time, but I think I learned more," Guan said.
The teenager has been one of the biggest talking points in golf since he became the youngest player to make the cut in a major championship at the Masters five weeks ago.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
