CROMWELL, Conn. — Justin Rose shot an 8-underpar 62, birdieing five consecutive back-nine holes for the second consecutive round, to take a four-stroke lead over Kevin Sutherland on Friday in the Travelers Championship.
Rose, the Memorial winner three weeks ago who failed to qualify for the U.S. Open last week at Pebble Beach, broke the tournament record for the first 36 holes, finishing at 14-under 126. The 62 was one off the course record at TPC River Highlands.
“Yesterday’s finish was amazing, ran five birdies in the last six and then again today, managed to get five in a row again,” said Rose, who started his second round on the 10th tee. “Birdied 10 of the 12 holes, so from just cruising, suddenly I went to the top of the leaderboard just like that and began to get a nice littlelead there.”
Sutherland shot his second 65. Vijay Singh (66), Corey Pavin (66), Bill Lunde (63) and Charlie Wi (67) were five strokes back at 9 under.
Bryce Molder (Conway) shot a par 70 with two birdies and two bogeys for a 2-under 138, the cutoff score. John Daly (Dardanelle, Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a par 70 with four birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey for a 1-over 141. Brenden Pappas (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a par 70 with three birdies and three bogeys for a 2-over 142.
Glen Day (Little Rock) shot a 3-over 74 with two birdies and five bogeys for a 7-over 147.
After making 162 PGA Tour starts without winning, Rose broke through at the Memorial three weeks ago. This was his first start since.
“I think I’m just on a nice streak,” Rose said. “I’m not getting in my way. I’m letting it happen. It’s nice to not field the question, ‘Can this be your first win?’ I must say. That helps. Having donethat, that’s one question that it’s just something less that I have to think about.
“Winning a tournament in its own right is difficult. So, when you have the added expectation of it trying to be your first, that can be harder sometimes.”
Sutherland won’t be complaining about consistency after his 65s.
Lunde eagled Nos. 13 and 15.
“That’s something on this golf course,” said Lunde, who also started on the 10th tee. “On the back nine, you got some opportunities to make some eagles and make a lot of birdies. It’s nice to get off to a quick start, to get the momentum going early.” CHAMPIONS
Levi shoots 65
ENDICOTT, N.Y. - Wayne Levi shot a 7-underpar 65 for a one-shot lead over Brad Bryant and Dan Forsman after the first roundof the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.
Mark Calcavecchia, vying to become just the 16th player to win his first start on the Champions Tour, was another shot back in a tie for fourth with defending champion Lonnie Nielsen, Fred Funk, Olin Browne and Blaine McCallister.
PGA EUROPEAN
Dredge takes lead
MUNICH - Bradley Dredge made two eagles in a round for the first time in his 14-year professional career and shot a 5-under-par 67 for a 13-under 131 and a onestroke lead over Pablo Larrazabal (66) after two rounds at the BMW International Open.
NATIONWIDE
Two share lead
LEON, Mexico - B.J. Staten shot a 3-under-par 69 and first-round leader Peter Tomasulo shot a 1-under 71 to share the lead at 9-under 135 after the second round at the Mexico Open Bicentenary.
Madalitso Muthiya (68) and Jamie Lovemark (71) were tied for third at 136.
Tag Ridings (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 3-under 69 with six birdies and three bogeys for a 3-under 141. Scott Gardiner (Farmington) shot a 1-under 71 with three birdies and two bogeys for a 4-under 140. Nick Beach (Fayetteville, Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 2-under 70 with four birdies and two bogeys for a par 144. Ken Duke (Arkadelphia, Henderson State) shot a par 72 with five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey for a 5-over 149. The cutoff score was 146.
Sports, Pages 23 on 06/26/2010