Rookie Chris Kirk takes advantage at Shell Houston Open - PGA Tour update
The Shell Houston Open is through the half way stage as the second round concluded yesterday. Bright sunny weather and soft greens certainly favoured the players. It was the rookie Chris Kirk who took a one shot advantage and leads the four day championship.
Kirk who started this tournament as freshman, has an advantage after two rounds of just one shot. He carded a round of three-under par, 69 on the second day and leads the tournament. The youngster played brilliantly on the second day also. He had six birdies,
a bogey followed by a double-bogey.
The 25-year-old Kirk had a disastrous double bogey on par-5, 4th where he failed to find the fairway. He was stuck in the woods and was not able to land a bogey for the hole. He again had to drop a shot at the par-3, 14th where his
tee shot landed in the greenside bunker.
It was Kirk’s driving accuracy which helped him post an under-par round and take the lead. He was hitting the ball well off the tee but two disasters struck him during his round. This may be his maiden victory if he continues playing in the same manner through
the final round on Sunday.
Defending champion, Anthony Kim’s form came back at the right time. He posted a brilliant bogey free round of eight-under par. This was also the best round of the day. Kim took advantage of the playing conditions and had eight birdies on his card. It looked
like he had a great read on the greens and he only made 22 putts during his round.
This was also a lucky day for Kim as he drastically improved his position on the leader board and is tied for the second spot. The 25-year-old Kim is just one behind the leader and was hoping to repeat his performance in the next two rounds. Kim will also
be hoping to win this championship again this year. The only other player to do so was Vijay Singh of Fiji, who has won back-to-back here in 2004 and 2005.
Kim is tied with Johnson Wagner at the second spot. They both have a two day score of eight-under par, 136 and are just one shot behind the leader.
Wagner also looked in exquisite form with his iron shots. He went four-under through his first nine and only had a single birdie finishing the back-nine. Wagner had a total of five birdies in his bogey free round of five-under par, 67. The 31-year-old veteran
has brilliant stats as he has not made a bogey in two days.
After finishing the round, Wagner said, "I've got very good feelings as soon as I step on the property here."
Overnight leader, Jimmy Walker, major championship winner Padraig Harrington and Josh Teater share the fourth spot. They have a two day score of seven-under par, 137 and have a deficit of just two shots from the leader.
Walker looked uncomfortable while he was playing on the course. He only made two birdies during his round and four drop shots which included two bogeys and a double bogey. Walker carded a round of two-over par, 74.
The top ranked player of the tournament, Lee Westwood, managed a steady round of even-par, 72 and shares the 21st spot on the leader board. He is joined by Phil Mickelson who had a repeat performance and carded a round of two-under par, 70.
There was a cutline score on the second day. The score was even par and a few notable players failed to make it through. Former Masters champion, Angel Cabrera, and PGA Championship winner, Y.E. Yang, were among the players who missed the cut.
The third round of the tournament will commence today and players within the reach of the leader will be eyeing the top spot on the leader after the third day finishes.
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