Jay Haas takes halfway lead at the Schwab Cup Championship
Jay Haas is in prime position of winning his 17th Champions Tour title, as he leads on 14-under par 126, entering the third round of the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
The US$2.5 million tournament is being played at the Desert Mountain Club (Cochise) in Scottsdale, featuring the top-30 players in the money list.
Haas has been enjoying a great form this season on the 50-and-over tour. The 58-year-old recorded a total of 9 top-10 finishes, including a victory at the Principal Charity Classic, in 20 events that he has played so far.
Last week, he tied for the ninth position at the AT&T Championship and entered this week’s tournament with a boosted morale.
After posting a four-under par 66 in the opening round, he picked up some pace and stunned his opponents by posting a sparkling 10-under par 60 on day two.
He recorded three birdies on the front nine to reach the turn in three-under. The back nine of the course witnessed him play brilliant shots that earned him seven birdies for a record 60.
In the history of the Champions Tour, no one has ever reached the mark of 59. On the 18th hole, he needed an eagle to become the only player to hit that target.
However, his third shot from the greenside bunker stopped six feet away from the hole. Therefore, he settled for a birdie-four, and became the eighth player in the history of the tour to record a 60.
"I knew at that stage if I made (the bunker shot), it was for 59. I was trying to talk myself into it," said Haas, who couldn't remember another time he had a shot at golf's magic number".
He added, "It was just a wonderful day, one of those that you don't want to end. I'd like to keep going out there and see how many more I can tack on”.
Haas now settles five strokes better than Tom Lehman, who is chasing a victory that will take him to the top of the Charles Schwab Cup standings. Lehman currently ranks second in the standings.
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