Seven players share the lead at Valero Texas Open – PGA Tour
Two rounds of the Valero Texas open completed yesterday at the Oaks course in Texas. The entire leader-board was changed on the second day due to the tough conditions and some players found it difficult to score under-par rounds, as there are now seven players
who share the lead on the score-board.
As the second round finished, a lot of players were disappointed with their scores. It was probably the toughest day of the year for these Professional Golfer’s Association Tour players.
Rich Beem, Geoff Ogilvy, Kevin Sutherland, Brandt Snedeker, Charley Hoffman, Kevin Chappell and Brendan Steele, all are tied on the leader board. All seven players have a two day aggregate score of three-under par, 141.
It was a rather up and down second day. Even the top ranked players failed to produce under par rounds, as there were strong winds blowing across the course.
Beem was going at a steady pace during the round. It was the par-4, 17th where his tee shot landed in the thick rough. From thereon, he only could manage a bogey. The 40-year-old also had three birdies on his score card, as he is one of the more
experienced among the seven players. There is also a major championship victory in Beem’s career. Now this is his good chance to end his nine year title drought.
Ogilvy of Australia did not look comfortable on the second day as wind was blowing in his face on some holes. He did not have a great start to the round. Ogilvy had three bogeys and four birdies in his round. His score card also showed a disappointing double-bogey
which came on the par-4, 12th where he failed to find the fairway due to the strong wind. The veteran closed his rounds with two-consecutive birdies and carded a round of even-par, 72.
Steele who came in this tournament as a PGA Tour rookie has performed well during the two rounds. Now that he is tied for the lead, he will be quite happy with things going well in his favour. Steele had four birdies and two bogeys on his card. The rookie
was going at a steady pace until the par-4, 15th. He was in the lead as he double-bogeyed the hole. Steele again had a chance at the last hole to go in lead where he missed a six-foot birdie putt, as he managed to put up a round of even-par, 72.
Rookie after his round said, "I got pretty beat up out there," Steele said. "I think we all kind of did."
The lowest round of the day was three-under par, 69. These scores show that the conditions of play were not easy on the second day.
This tie on the leader-board has happened after 1977 at this tour.
The overnight leaders Stewart Cink and J.J. Henry looked uncomfortable in the windy conditions. They had a disappointing day and had a similar score of six-over par, 78.
Defending champion Adam Scott is still in contention for his title defence. He is just one shot behind the group of leaders and will be hoping to improve his position.
Third round of the championship will commence today as players will be vying the top spot on the score-board.
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