MUNOZ INCREASES LEAD AT GREENBRIER
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’’ following an openinground 61, Munoz kept it going Friday, shooting a 3-under-par 67 for a three-stroke 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.
Munoz has been in this situation before. At the St. Jude Classic last month, Munoz was tied for the lead through 36 holed, but he played the final two rounds in 11 over 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,’’ Munoz said. “(I’ll) just take those past experiences and use them this week.’’
The 24-year-old Colombian played his college golf at North Texas and said he got a wake-up call when his coach threatened to take away his scholarship for his senior year. Then, former college teammate Carlos Ortiz won three times in his first season on the Web.com Tour in 2014.
“I talked to him and was like, `Hey, man, I know you’re good, but come on. Like, I can get you sometimes,’’’ Munoz said. “So that really helped me kind of push through and realize I was good as well.’’
Rory misses cut at Irish Open.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy crashed out of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, missing the cut in his home event for the fourth time in five years.
After labouring to an opening 72 on a day when 105 of the 156strong field broke par, McIlroy could only add a second round of 73 at Portstewart Golf Club for a halfway total of one over par.
Playing partner Jon Rahm added a 67 to his opening 65 to finish 12 under, a shot behind clubhouse leader Daniel Im after the American also returned a 67.
Kirk has career-best 63, leads.
Katherine Kirk shot a careerbest 9-under 63 to take a threestroke lead in the weather-delayed second round of the inaugural Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.