Malnati leads field; McIlroy disappoints
charlotte — A stress-free Peter Malnati fired a three-underpar 68 to open a one-shot 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. Malnati, who is chasing only his second victory on the PGA Tour, attributed his smooth start to a more laidback approach to his game.
“Honestly, the biggest thing that’s different for me this week from the last couple of years is I’m just more relaxed,” Malnati said.
“I’m feeling good. I’m confident in what I’m doing and kind of been letting it show on the course, rather getting stressed out.”
Malnati also benefited from a nerveless putting display. Three
Honestly, the biggest thing that’s different for me this week from the last couple of years is I’m just more relaxed Peter Malnati
of his birdies came after draining putts ranging nine feet to 12 feet. “I expect a lot of myself as a player so I’m thinking about the couple that I missed out there,” Malnati said. “I’m putting well. It’s fun to putt on greens where you get on line and just watch it roll end-over-end, and hopefully go right in the hole.”
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. —