Craig Jones just makes cut after leading Tokai Classic
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2004 Coca-Cola Tokai Classic | Round Two | 09 Oct 2004
Yesterday Queenslander Craig Jones was cruising along at the Tokai Classic. He had led by two after round one and when he birdied his second hole on day two he had extended that lead as his nearest rivals struggled in horror conditions. It was at about that time that things would turn pear-shaped for Jones also.
A double bogey at his fourth hole was followed by consecutive bogeys at the fifth and sixth. No need to panic yet he was still at two under for the tournament and still very much in contention. When he double bogeyed again at the 7th, bogeyed the 9th and then double bogeyed the 12th immediately prior to play being called off however, things were starting to look not quite as rosy.
It was at that point that play was called off for the day, the inclement weather forcing a halt to day two proceedings. With the cut looking to be around five over, Jones knew, when he returned today to complete round two, that he still had a four shot cushion to make the cut and surely that would be enough. It was, but only just. A triple bogey at his last hole so nearly saw him miss out on a spot for the final thirty six holes.
In typhoon like conditions virtually every player in the field struggled with the joint second place Paul Sheehan also struggling on day two, recording an 80 as he slipped from 2nd to 43rd.
The tournament leader is Katsumune Imai who leads by three over last week’s winner Toru Suzuki and Kazuhiko Hosakawa. Imai (68) and Suzuki (67) recorded the only two sub 70 rounds on day two.
