Peter leads field, Lahiri misses cut
Miami, May 5: A stress-free Peter Malnati fired a threeunder-par 68 to open a oneshot lead at the halfway stage of the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina on Friday.
The 30-year-old journeyman — ranked a lowly 673rd in the world — followed up his opening 67 on Thursday with five birdies and two bogeys to edge clear of the field at seven under after 36 holes at the Quail Hollow Club layout.
The firm and tough greens took a toll on Anirban Lahiri as the Indian missed the cut after shooting 76-74 in the first two rounds.
Malnati will have little room for error over the weekend however, with a chasing pack including some heavyweight rivals lurking on his shoulder.
They include Australia’s former world number one Jason Day, who is one adrift of the lead on six under.
Day produced a sparkling four-under-par 67 which included three birdies and a magnificent eagle three at the par-five 10th hole, chipping in from a greenside bunker from 32 yards.
MCILROY STRUGGLES Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy saw his chances of grabbing a third victory at Quail Hollow fade after a disastrous second round, making it a birthday to forget as he turned 29. McIlroy had started the day firmly in the hunt after an opening 68, but the wheels came off spectacularly with a five-over-par 76.
Tiger Woods meanwhile scraped inside the cut line with a two-over-par 73 to leave himself on two-over 144. On Friday, Woods began off the 10th tee and took bogeys at the par-four 11th and 14th holes, missing par putts of seven and eight feet.
He parred his way around until missing a four-footer to bogey the par-three sixth hole then missed a six-foot birdie bid at seven before making his closing birdie.