Kim and Putnam take lead at Zurich Classic
AVONDALE, La. — Scott Brown and Kevin Kisner nearly won the Zurich Classic last year after Kisner’s stunning chip shot forced a playoff. Another good round Friday put the duo back in contention at TPC Louisiana.
Brown and Kisner shot a 2-underpar 70 to pull within one shot of leaders Michael Kim and Andrew Putnam.
After the 80-team field played better ball in Thursday’s opening round, the format switched to alternate shot for the second round, with one player hitting the tee shots on even-numbered holes and the other on odd numbers. Kim and Putnam made five birdies and were able to recover from a double bogey on No. 5 for a 69 and a 13-under 131 total.
Brown and Kisner are comfortable in the event that switched to a team format last year. Kisner made a 95-foot chip for eagle on the final hole of regulation last year, forcing a sudden-death playoff they lost on the fourth hole to Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith.
The tournament goes back to better ball today, then back to alternate shot for the final round.
“Hopefully, we just give ourselves a shot going into Sunday, you know, and go from there,” Kisner said. “I still think tomorrow is going to be kind of a shootout day, so probably have to shoot something low.”
The teams of Chad Campbell-Matt Jones (70) and Nate Lashley-Rob Oppenheim (69) were tied for third at 11 under, with Cody Gribble-John Peterson (68) and Tony Finau-Daniel Summerhays (72) another stroke back in fifth.
Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson shot a 67 to pull within four shots of the lead as part of a six-way tie for seventh. They made seven birdies, which helped offset a double bogey on No. 12.
“We played some awfully nice golf today,” Kuchar said.
But to the uninformed, it may have not looked like they were playing nice with each other. Kuchar, a Georgia Tech alum, and Watson, a Georgia alum, have been celebrating in unique fashion, with the partner who makes a birdie getting a slap from the other.
“Well, when you think about it, we want you to be inspired to make some more birdies,” Watson said. “So we basically slap each other in the face and say, ‘Come on, do another one, get another one.’ That’s what we’re trying to do. Trying to cheer us on and get us excited about the first hole.”
Masters champion Patrick Reed and teammate Patrick Cantlay are still in contention after shooting a 71. They’re five shots off the lead.
The top 35 teams and ties made the cut, which was at 5 under, but that did not include Ryan Palmer and Jordan Spieth. They were off by a stroke after making double bogey on the final two holes. Spieth was largely to blame for the collapse, hitting into the water on both holes.
“I cost our team an opportunity, which, you know, really sucks given how hard we fought today,” Spieth said. “It’s not a good feeling. It’s much worse than if it’s just you.”
Spieth wasn’t the only big name who struggled in the tournament. Reigning PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas and teammate Bud Cauley missed the cut after their second 70, while reigning U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka and teammate Marc Turnesa also missed the cut after a 78.
The first round co-leaders struggled. Lucas Glover and Chez Reavie shot a 75 to fall four shots behind the leaders, while China’s Zhang Xinjun and Dou Zecheng shot 80 and missed the cut.
Three of the four Baylor School graduates on the PGA Tour were in the tournament, but all of them were at 1 over and won’t be around for the weekend competition. Stephan Jaeger and Keith Mitchell shot a 78 after opening with a 67, while another former Red Raiders standout, Harris English, teamed with former Georgia teammate Hudson Swafford for a 77 after an opening 68.
Korda paces herself
DALY CITY, Calif. — Jessica Korda is trying to leave everyone else behind — and not get too far ahead of herself in the LPGA Mediheal Championship.
Korda shot a second-round 5-under 67 in warmer — but still chilly — conditions at Lake Merced Golf Club to take a one-stroke into the weekend.
“It’s only Friday; still two more days to go,” said Korda, a five-time winner on tour. “Play the same way I have been the last two days. Hopefully, some putts drop. Stay patient and stick with my process.”
The long-hitting Korda had six birdies — three on the first four holes — and a bogey to reach 9-under 135.
Monday qualifier Annie Park, the 2013 NCAA champion at Southern California, was second after a 66 in the morning.
Charley Hull (68) was another stroke back, with Lydia Ko (70) in fourth at 6 under. Ko won the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic at Lake Merced in 2014 and 2015.
Moriya Jutanugarn, who won Sunday in Los Angeles for her first tour title, shot a 68 to join Sei Young Kim (70) in a tie for fifth at 5 under.
Wallace first in China
BEIJING — Matt Wallace shot a 2-under 70 to take a one-stroke lead into the weekend at the China Open.
The 27-year-old Englishman, who moved up from a tie for second, offset a pair of second-round bogeys by sinking two birdies and making an eagle on the par-5 eighth hole at Topwin Golf and Country Club for the second straight day. He was 9-under 135 after 36 holes in the European PGA Tour event.
Tied for second were Nacho Elvira (67), Jason Scrivener (69) and Kim Sihwan (66). Four golfers had a share of fifth at 7 under: Jorge Campillo (68), Julien Guerrier (69), Soomin Lee (69) and Adrian Otaegui (69).