No day off for Munoz on tour
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — PGA Tour rookie Sebastian Munoz has found a comfortable routine at The Greenbrier Classic: Go play golf, then watch a movie at night.
After catching “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” after an opening-round
61, Munoz kept it going Friday, shooting a 3-underpar 67 for a threestroke lead over Ben Martin and Hudson Swafford heading into the weekend on the Old White TPC.
On Friday night, his plans were the same.
“I’m here with one of my best buddies, so we’re just going to hang out and watch a movie and be ready for tomorrow,” Munoz said.
The 24-year-old Colombian, who played at the University of North Texas and earned his PGA Tour card through the Web.com Tour last year, has been in this situation before. At the St. Jude Classic last month in Memphis, Munoz was tied for the lead through 36 holes, but he was 11 over for the final two rounds and finished tied for 60th.
“I feel like Memphis taught me that maybe I was caring too much, trying to hit too many perfect shots all the time,” said Munoz, who is still looking for his first top-10 finish on the top tour. “Just take those past experiences and use them this week.”
Swafford hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation Friday on his way to a 66, while Martin shot a 67 to join him at 9 under.
Davis Love III, seeking to become the oldest winner in PGA Tour history, followed his first-round 63 with a 69. He was at 8 under, along with 2016 tournament champion Danny Lee (68) and Russell Henley (64).
Phil Mickelson made the cut for the first time in four total starts at the tournament. He had five bogeys and three birdies to shoot 72 and make the cut on the number at 1 under.
Baylor School graduate Harris English (70) was at 1 under, too, but another former Red Raider, Luke List (72), missed the cut by a stroke.
PORTSTEWART, Northern Ireland — Rory McIlroy missed the cut at the Irish Open for the fourth time in five years, leading the four-time major winner to express concerns about parts of his game ahead of the British Open.
McIlroy shot a 1-over 73 in his second round over the links at Portstewart Golf Club and was 1 over for the tournament, which he is hosting to benefit his foundation. He was four strokes below the cut mark and 14 strokes off the joint leaders, Benjamin Hebert and Daniel Im, who each shot a 67 and held the lead for the second day in a row.
“My short game is not sharp enough, and I’m making silly mistakes,” McIlroy said. “I’m not being very proficient with my scoring and making it difficult for myself.”
McIlroy also missed the cut at the U.S. Open last month and hasn’t had a victory so far in 2017, during which he has had two spells out because of a rib injury. He will play one more event — the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links next week — before the British Open, which starts July 20 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.
Jon Rahm, playing in the same group as McIlroy, shot a 67 and was alone in third place, a stroke off the lead. Hideki Matsuyama, ranked No. 2 in the world, shot a 68 and was five shots back.
Rory still struggling
Kirk makes move
ONEIDA, Wis. — Katherine Kirk shot a career-best 9-under 63 to take a three-stroke lead in the weather-delayed second round of the inaugural Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.
The 35-year-old Australian played the back nine in 7-under 29 at Thornberry Creek, the Oneida Nation-owned resort near Green Bay. Kirk eagled the par-5 13th and hit a hybrid to four feet from the hole on the 196-yard, par-3 17th for her final birdie of the day. She was 13 under through two rounds.
Kirk has two career victories, most recently in 2010. She finished her round before a three-hour, 30-minute delay because of lightning in the area.
Jaye Marie Green birdied eight of her final 12 holes to shoot 66 and was three shots back. Sandra Gal was also 10 under through 13 holes before play was suspended because of darkness.
Baylor School graduate Brooke Pancake, who opened with a 67, was at par for her round through 10 holes. She was tied for 35th after starting the day tied for fifth.