Rookie Stanley leads Honda
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2011 The Honda Classic | Round Two | 05 Mar 2011
The lead at the halfway stage of the Honda Classic at the PGA National Champion Course at Palm Beach Gardens is held by 23 year old PGA Tour rookie Kyle Stanley. Stanley leads by one over South African Rory Sabbatini who put together a stunning round of 64 in the blustery conditions on day two including a final nine holes of 31.
Stanley played the Nationwide Tour in 2010 in his first full season as a professional and although he was unable to secure a place in the top 25 on the money list and therefore PGA Tour status in 2011 he was able to play his way to golf’s holy grail via Tour School.
Twice a winner of the Southern Amateur and a Sahalee Players Championship winner in his home State of Washington during his amateur days, Stanley was amongst the best of America’s amateur players in his time at Clemson University and was a member of the 2007 US Walker Cup side.
Stanley is playing his sixth event of the year and has made the cut each time including when 13th last week in Mexico.
In third position and two behind Sabbatini is yet another South African in Charl Schwartzel.
Stuart Appleby leads the Australians at 2 under while Greg Chalmers and Nathan Green are next at even par with John Senden at 1 over. Green’s round of 67 was bettered only by Stanley’s 66 and the great round of Sabbatini’s.
Robert Allenby and Marc Leishman in 43rd position are the only other Australians to make the cut which fell at a massive 6 over due to the incredibly difficult conditions that prevailed on the opening two days.
