The 21-year-old amateur came to Glen Abbey Golf Club’s par-5 18th green at 6 under, three off Brandt Snedeker’s lead and facing a 40-foot putt for eagle.
Advertisement
Rahm and du Toit shared a brief moment together outside the official scorer’s tent on Friday as they crossed paths. “It hasn’t set in so far, but loving every minute of it”. Du Toit could break a drought that extends back to Pat Fletcher in 1954, the last instance of a Canadian winning this championship.
Doug Sanders was the last amateur to win the event in 1956, and Phil Mickelson was the last amateur victor on the tour in the 1991 Northern Telecom Open. Phil Mickelson was the last amateur victor on the tour in the 1991 Northern Telecom Open.
“I’m playing out of my mind and I still can’t beat him”, said du Toit, with a laugh.
“The day was pretty tough in itself and then I really didn’t have anything going well”, Day said. “But I’m looking forward to it. I’ll try to make a few pars in the valley tomorrow and go from there”.
Although only seven of Snedeker’s 14 drives landed on the fairway, he averaged an impressive 320.6 yards.
“It was a right-to-left putt”.
Johnson got off to a slow start in the morning group, including a double bogey on his third hole, before recovering with four birdies in his back nine to take a one-shot lead over List, his co-leader from Thursday’s first round. “It was windy. I had a hard time adjusting to the greens”.
“My goal was just let’s do a nice two-putt and finish it off”, Cejka said. After a lovely six-under 66 in the first round, DJ had to battle back from going four-over in his first four holes on Friday. Hit a lot of good shots out there that didn’t end up very good. I feel like I’m rolling it really well. “Tomorrow, hopefully, get some putts to roll in”.
Snedeker had five straight birdies on Nos. The 35-year-old American won the Farmers Insurance Open in February at Torrey Pines for his eighth PGA Tour title. Hitting the greens were awful. “I have to get my game in shape and this was a good start”. He’s joined at that number by Alex Cejka (69). “I knew I was playing well”. I’ve had a miserable year. “I made some swing changes about a month ago or two weeks ago in Alabama, so I know it’s coming”.
Incidentally, du Toit’s teammate, Spanish golfer Jon Rahm, the former No. 1 amateur in the world who recently turned pro, is one shot ahead at 6-under. The Spaniard eagled the 16th hole.
“He’s just got to slow down when he gets wayward, a bit”, said Burke.
Top-ranked defending champion Jason Day was tied for 28th at 2 under after a 69.
Rod Pampling and Greg Chalmers were the leading Australians after 36 holes but that pair both shot 76 to fall to a share of 60th at 2-over.
Day said he hadn’t adjusted well to the firm greens this week. Langer (71) also was 2 under.
Rod Pampling (71) and Greg Chalmers (73) are the leading Australians at two under, five shots back, while Rhein Gibson (72) and Geoff Ogilvy (71) sit even par.
GURNEE, Ill. – Charley Hull and surprising England grabbed the lead in the UL International Crown, and the United States advanced with a sweep against Japan.
Advertisement
With Charley Hull sidelined by a fever and complications from asthma, Reid was all alone for her four-ball match against Japan’s Haru Nomara and Mika Miyazato. Last week: Henrik Stenson won the British Open and Aaron Baddeley won the Barbasol Championship.
