Springbok menacing Tiger at Firestone
IN: News | US PGA | Bridgestone Invitational (2007) | Round Two | by Fred Norks | 04 Aug 2007
On a day where the South Course at the Firestone Country Club was bringing some of the world’s top players to their knees, South African Rory Sabbatini continued his march towards the US$1.35 million first prize on Sunday with a second consecutive round of three under 67 to take a two stroke lead in to the weekend.
Only seven players managed to break par including 2007 US Masters champion, Zach Johnson and Davis Love III, who both fired 65, the low rounds of the day.
Sabbatini, who recently won the Crowne Plaza Invitational, was confident of his chances on the weekend as the course toughens up under the scorching Akron sun.
“The course is only going to get tougher. We’ve been very fortunate that we really haven’t had any wind. If there’s wind on this golf course, it’s going to become almost impossible to play because as it is right now. If you hit the ball in the fairway on a couple holes, you know straight away it’s in the rough.”
Tiger Woods kept himself well in contention for a sixth Bridgestone Invitational title following an even par 70. Despite hitting 15 greens in regulation, he was let down again by his putter.
“It was playing tricky. The fairways were quick, a lot of the pins you couldn’t fire at. They’re basically repelling some of the pins, and you just had to make sure you played safe and then try to two-putt from there, but there also were some great pins where you could be aggressive and go right at them.”
Peter Lonard and John Senden were the surprises of the day from the Australian camp, quietly going about their business to close the second day in equal 9th and just six strokes off the pace. A couple of low rounds across the weekend could see Lonard on his way to Southern Hills for next week’s US PGA, the final major of the year.
Lonard, who has fallen outside the world top 100 this year, will have next week off unless he is able to secure a win this week. While perhaps unlikely, he is well within reach.
Of the other Australians, Stuart Appleby fell away with a four over 74 and goes in to the third round with a share of 19th place. Rod Pampling, Geoff Ogilvy, Nick O’Hern, Aaron Baddeley and Mark Hensby are at +4, equal 26th.
World number five, Adam Scott, continues to struggle with his game and sits third last on +11. Scott’s best finish at a WGC tournament this year was T33.
With sunny skies and high temperatures forecast to continue tomorrow, low rounds will again be a rarity.
