Kim endures weather for 4-shot edge
Michael Kim took a 4-shot lead yesterday at the John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities, which was suspended twice because of weather concerns.
Kim, who is winless in 84 career PGA Tour starts, was 16-under through 35 holes, with the second round to be completed this morning in Silvis, Ill.
Kim birdied eight of his first 14 holes without a bogey to race past first-round leader Steve Wheatcroft, who shot 68. Wheatcroft was 12-under along with David Hearn (64) and Johnson Wagner (66).
Francesco Molinari was 11-under along with Matt Jones and Bronson Burgoon, who made two eagles yesterday and was 8-under for the round with three holes to play.
The 24-year-old Kim, a former standout at Cal, pushed his lead to 3 shots by hitting a wedge from 111 yards to within 5 feet for birdie on the par-4 13th.
Kim, who had missed the cut in 14-of-22 starts this season, followed that up with a 13-footer for birdie on the par-4 14th.
Hearn has had an upand-down year, missing eight cuts. But his irons have been dialed in at TPC Deere Run. He birdied 3-of4 par 3s.
“I think I just have good feelings around this golf course. I’ve always enjoyed playing it. I am putting the ball in play off the tee, which isn’t as hard here as some of the other golf courses we play. But when I am doing that, I’m giving myself good chances for birdie,” Hearn said. “The putter has been hot.”
Parel in major lead
Scott Parel grabbed a 1-stroke lead in the Constellation Senior Players Championship, shooting a 6-under 66 in the second round to reach 11-under in Highland Park, Ill.
The 53-year-old Parel made seven birdies after starting the day 2 off the lead. He is seeking his first PGA Tour Champions victory.
Parel remained in the lead when Jeff Maggert 3-putted from about 15 feet to bogey the par-4 18th. That left Maggert (68) tied with Brandt Jobe (67) at 10-under in the fourth of five majors on the tour’s schedule.
Rock rolls closer
Robert Rock was already heading to Carnoustie next week to work at the British Open in a coaching capacity. He might now have to take his clubs.
Rock, ranked No.244, set the record for the lowest 36-hole total since the Scottish Open was launched by the European Tour in 1972, adding a 7-under-par 63 in the second round to his 64 on Day 1. So far, he has made 13 birdies and not dropped a shot.
Not only did it give the English golfer a 2-shot lead on 13-under 127 at Gullane, Scotland, it also gave him a great chance of earning one of the final qualification spots for the British Open just up the east coast of Scotland.
Henderson tied at top
Brooke Henderson shot a bogey-free 5-under 66 to move into a tie for the lead after two rounds at the Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio.
The 20-year-old Canadian and Caroline Hedwall of Sweden were at 9-under 133 through 36 holes. Thidapa Suwannapura was 1 shot back.
Henderson and Hedwall each birdied the final two holes at Highland Meadows, which are par 5s.
The 29-year-old Hedwall is looking for her first LPGA Tour victory . . . .
British golfers Laura Davies and Trish Johnson recovered from rough stretches after two rounds of the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open and share the lead at 4-under-par 142 through 36 holes in Wheaton, Ill. Juli Inkster is third at 1-under 145 . . . .
In South Lake Tahoe, Nev., San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski took the lead with 25 points, and former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer was at 24 points after the first round of the American Century Championship.