Second round of FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind Memphis: Highlights
The second day at the TPC Southwind, the venue of the FedEx St. Jude Classic turned out to be one of the toughest for the season when temperatures soared to a sweltering 90 degrees, rendering many of the greens harder and faster than usual.
Robert Karlsson, last year’s runner-up, moved to take charge in the second round when he closed his day with a magnificent three-shot lead. Karlsson scored five-under, 65, to move to nine-under. Ranked 23rd in the world and having 11 European
Tour wins on his belt, Karlsson had a disappointing experience last year when he had to let go of the title on the Playoff. He had to give in to Lee Westwood’s magical birdie on the Playoff hole.
Karlsson has time and again expressed his fondness for the course where he has been playing for a long period of time. He was in contention for the second spot yesterday when David Mathis equaled his career best round on the tour with five-under, 65. Mathis
had a sloppy day in the field where he carded a round of 72 to drop down to joint seventh.
“I hit a bunch of good iron shots. It was nice obviously to get it going. As you said, it's not an easy golf course. You just don't walk out there and shoot 68, 67. It's always nice to get off to a good start. I played very well on m back nine as well. Gave
myself a bunch of chances, and it was good,” Karlsson said.
Keegan Bradley continued with his top form for the season when he scored another round of 67 to push himself up the leaderboard. Winner of the HP Byron Nelson Championship just two weeks ago, Bradley is hoping to barge into the US Open next week with a strong
finish here in Memphis. He is now settled for joint second with Colt Knost.
“Never had to do all the media that I had to do. Obligations that a winner has to go through, which I'm so happy I had to go through it, but it took me a little bit by surprise. But feel good and feel rested now,” said Keegan while speaking to reporters.
American John Merrick is resting for the outright fourth with his rounds of 66 and 69 while two players, Swede Fredrik Jacobson and American Harrison Frazar finished for the joint fifth. Defending champion, Westwood is still waiting to come to a full throttle
and has not been able to bring his magic to the course as yet. He had opening rounds of 69 and 70 and is tied for the 23rd at the moment.
Many of the seasoned golfers failed to make the cut which was placed at two-over after the culmination of second round. Korean Y.E. Yang, last year’s runner-up Robert Garrigus, American Sam Saunders, and Spaniard Sergio Garcia were the ones who made an early
exit from the event.
Tags: