S4609 BC-GOLF-Colonial 3rdWritethru 057 29-05 0731
Sets 36-hole tourney mark with second 63
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/05/2009 (6283 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
FORT WORTH, Texas — With the wind hardly blowing and greens pillow-soft, Steve Stricker followed an opening 7-under 63 with another on Friday for the 36-hole record and only a slight lead at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.
Stricker’s 14-under 126 total broke the previous mark by two strokes, further proof of how tame Colonial Country Club is playing.
“I’d rather have the trophy,” he said. “We’re only halfway through. I’d like to keep making putts. That solves a lot of problems.”
Tim Clark, Vijay Singh and Sean O’Hair shot 64s and were lined up right behind Stricker: Clark was one shot back, Singh one more and O’Hair yet another.
Jason Day (65) was 10 under, Woody Austin (68) was another stroke back, and Ryan Palmer (63) was 8 under.
“The weather, for two days in a row — well, all week since we’ve been here — has been unbelievable,” Stricker said. “Wind is what this course needs to get difficult, but we haven’t seen it yet. I kind of like what’s going on right now.”
Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont., carded a second-round 67 and was tied for 21st with a two-round total of 136. Stephen Ames of Calgary, also at 136, had a second-round 68 on Friday.
Clark’s two-round total of 127 matched the previous best for back-to-back rounds set by Justin Leonard in ’03. Singh’s two-round total of 128 matched the previous midway mark set by Kenny Perry in 2005. And they’re only good for footnotes because of Stricker’s 126.
Colonial members can only shake their heads at these scores, especially after undertaking course alterations that were supposed to make things tougher, not easier. Some gusts would help show whether they miscalculated or if it really is just the calm conditions.
The cut line was even par (140). To put that in perspective, par would’ve beaten Hogan the last two times he won it, in 1959 and ’53; he was 1 under in all three of his other victories here.
“This course really rewards good play,” Clark said. “It favours everyone.”
Singh is here for the first time since 2002, having withdrawn right after criticizing Annika Sorenstam’s spot in the field in 2003 then citing conflicts overseas for his continued absence.
He’s been fondly welcomed back by the galleries and has made himself right at home.
“I’m really happy with the way I’m swinging the club,” Singh said.
— The Associated Press
