Conditions a problem at Doral
Four tied for the lead as wind and complaints swirl.
The new Doral in raging wind looked a lot like an old U.S. Open on Friday.
Matt Kuchar played out of the rough to tap-in range for birdie on the 18th hole for a 2-over 74 that allowed him to join an exclusive group at the Cadillac Championship — one of just four survivors to par.
The Blue Monster in South Florida gobbled up just about everyone else.
Dustin Johnson bogeyed three of his last six holes for a 74. Patrick Reed made just two birdies in his round of 75. Hunter Mahan atoned for a triple bogey with a 4-iron into 5 feet for eagle on the eighth hole, giving him a 74. They joined Kuchar atop the leaderboard at 1-under 143.
“I felt stressed all day, because I knew every shot had ‘big penalty’ written all over it,” Mahan said. “It was a really tough day. There wasn’t an easy shot out there.”
Just three players broke par in the second round. No one shot in the 60s. The average score was a fraction under 76.
“I don’t think I’ve played in conditions this difficult in the U.S.,” Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland said after a 71 that left him one shot behind.
Rory McIlroy (74), Francesco Molinari (75) and Jamie Donaldson of Wales (70) also were one behind at even-par 144.
Tiger Woods hit three balls in the water and scraped out a 73, thanks in part to a 90-foot birdie putt on the par-3 fourth hole. Phil Mickelson shot 75. Both were still in the mix, just six shots behind.
“It’s a tough golf course as it is,” Reed said. “And with how hard the wind is blowing, it made it even tougher. Almost felt like we were playing at a major today.”
At times, it looked even worse.
Fist pumps were replaced by players stretching out their arm to take a penalty drop from the water — 113 balls in the water, which is everywhere on the course that Gil Hanse redesigned under the direction of new owner Donald Trump.
Trump described it as bold. It turned out to be brutal.
“The setup is horrendous,” Webb Simpson said after a 78.
Henrik Stenson, part of the Nos. 1-2-3 grouping from the world ranking, had a 76 and joined Woods at 5-over 149. Masters champion Adam Scott, the other member of that illustrious trio, had a 73 and was at 4-over 148.
“We’ve all got a shot at it now,” Woods said. “No one is going anywhere.”
PGA Tour: James Driscoll matched the Puerto Rico Open record with a 9-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead over Chesson Hadley at 12-under 132 after the second round in Rio Grande.