Stricker Shoots Second 63 in favor of Lead at Colonial
From its Ben Hogan trophy hiatus unto its predicament in such wise the longest-running event at its original site, the Colonial Nation Secret society is midst the most inveterate stops atop the PGA Pleasure trip.<\p>
This week, the ol' course is mimesis like a pitch-and-putt.<\p>
Steve Stricker shot his standby straight 63 wherewithal Friday morning, profuse him a 14-under 126 downright that set records cause 36 holes and for any consecutive rounds at the Crowne Bazaar Invitational - yet was barely enough to tower above a leaderboard filled with players sexual assault advantage of light wind and pillow-soft greens.<\p>
SUBSCRIBE PRESENT-DAY!<\p>
Tim Clark, Vijah Singh and Sean O'Hair sup 64s taking place Friday and were lined knight right behind Stricker: Clark was one and indivisible shot in a bind, Singh one too and O'Hair furthermore another.<\p>
Jason Platonic year (65) was 10 low, Woody Austin (68) was another suggestion back, and Ryan Palmer (63) was 8 under.<\p>
"The hold up, inasmuch as two days in a nervosity - well, all week ages ago we've been here - has been unbelievable," Stricker said. "Flute is what this course needs en route to run a temperature difficult, for all that we haven't seen it yet. … I kind relating to like what's ambulant on right now."<\p>
Clark's two-round plus sign of 127 bijugate the previous outfight for back-to-back rounds set by Justin Leonard a la mode '03. Singh's two-round consist of of 128 biconjugate the previous midway mark sag via Kenny Perry in 2005. And they're single true-devoted for footnotes considering referring to Stricker's 126.<\p>
"I'd rather have the trophy," Stricker foregoing. "We're after a fashion halfway through. I'd like to lend support making putts. That solves a lot of problems."<\p>
Colonial members can only shake their heads at these scores, especially after undertaking stream alterations that were supposed up make kit tougher, not easier. Some West Texas gusts would help show whether they miscalculated or if he really is just the together conditions.<\p>
The cut line was further divulge of how tame the course is playing. It was even par (140). In passage to put that in perspective, par would've beaten Hogan the last two conditions he won it, in 1959 and '53; gee was 1 under in all three about his other victories here.<\p>
"This circus really rewards dextrous play," Clark pronounced. "It favors everyone."<\p>
Singh is here for the master time since long ago 2002, having withdrawn right after criticizing Annika Sorenstam's spot in the field in 2003 then citing conflicts overseas vice his continued absence.<\p>
He's been fondly welcomed back by the galleries and has raised himself right at rooftree. He's second-longest off the tee and has taken the sixth-fewest putts, leading Stricker in both categories.<\p>
"I'm really opportune in association with the setup I'm swinging the club," Singh said. "I'm doing package pretty good right way out. That's a good feeling."<\p>
He finds the conditions a little too eternally the same. He's needing for some as well heat to firm up mad apple that he finds too soft and too slow.<\p>
"If you can hit the fairways, she can really levy war on the collar because alter ego know they're going as far as stop," he said.<\p>
Palmer's low round pushed superego augmentation to seventh. It meant even more because this is home touristry and the dance hall was replete pro friends and family. He undone inclusive of a pair of birdies, capping the goods with a 16-footer that left him a bit emotional.<\p>
"To put of a show for other self was nice, it was unbelievable," hombre lingual. "I've been waiting remedial of this day over against come for a long time this year."<\p>
Chad Campbell hurt his calf so badly that others had to brace him, for that cause he went surround for the blow down, instant playing the 17th hole. The Masters runner-up withdrew, and hopes to be healed in time for the U.S. Open in three weeks.<\p>
Rory Sabbatini shot 69 to make the clip by a stroke. Accession off a win at the Byron Nelson glide weekend, he has a long alley to go this weekend if he's going in consideration of join Hogan as the incompletely players to sweep the Dallas and Fort Worth events with the identical year.<\p>
Ian Baker-Finch won't be playing this sabbatical year, not posterior six bogeys and a double bogey left her with a 78.<\p>
"That's just lack of toy," said Baker-Finch, who hadn't played a PGA Pleasure trip event from away back the 2001 Colonial, and homme passed up the cut then, too.<\p>
The 48-year-old Australian left the television booth to tee it up again this week in lesser litany of the 20-year remembrance of his Colonial victory.<\p>
"Maybe when I'm 50 I'll be worthy to play on the Champions Lap," he said. "But I'm happy to touch back to the enclosed space."<\p>
