Australians in contention at Bob Hope
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2008 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic | Round Two | 18 Jan 2008
D.J. Trahan and Robert Gamez may have the lead after 36 holes of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic but there are several Australians within striking distance.
Trahan and Gamez are both at 13 under and lead by one over Justin Leonard but Steve Elkington at 10 under, Brett Rumford at 9 under and Mark Hensby at 8 under have improved the Australian chances in the event.
Gamez, who withdrew from last year’s PGA Tour qualifying tournament, has a start in the event on invitation. He lost his full PGA Tour status at the end of 2007 after his exemption for his 2005 victory at the Texas Open had run out. He is making a good fist of getting things back on track this week however in an event where he has made his last eight cuts.
Trahan is in his fourth season on the PGA Tour but has missed the cut in his two previous visits to Palm Desert and comes off an ordinary week last week in Hawaii when he made the cut but did not play the weekend due the the new PGA Tour rules.
Elkington played the PGA West course today and was round in 68 to be within three shots of the leader. Rumford is playing his first event as a PGA Tour cardholder having gained his status by finishing runner up at the Tour School late last year. His round of 68 at La Quinta Country Club has him in a share of 5th place at 9 under.
Mark Hensby, who missed both cuts in his recent visit to Australia, retained his PGA Tour status at the Frys.com event in Scottsdale late last year and is on the road to better things after two years struggling from the aftermath of a car injury. His round of 67 at the Classic Club today has him in 11th place at 8 under.
First round leader, Mathew Goggin, and Nick Flanagan are at 6 under and in 21st place.
