Haas takes three-shot lead at PGA’s Memorial
DUBLIN, OHIO — Bill Haas played the best golf in the toughest conditions Friday in the rain-delayed Memorial.
When weather forced the third stoppage in play in the second round Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were close to each other on the leaderboard, even if they were miles away from Haas, who had a 5-under 67.
That didn’t bode well for Woods, the five-time Memorial winner, who played a peculiar round; He three-putted from five feet for double bogey on the par-5 15th, chopped up the final hole for a bogey and wound up with a 74.
“Tough conditions out there, and I didn’t exactly play my best, either,’’ said Woods, who had his worst 36-hole total (145) at the Memorial since he first played it in 1997.
McIlroy was in danger of missing the cut until he fired off five birdies, looking more comfortable with his putts and attacking with his driver. He was 4-under for his round and one shot inside the cut line — and one shot behind Woods. McIlroy was in a greenside bunker in two shots at the par-5 15th when play was stopped.
“The major goal today was to try to make it into the weekend,’’ said McIlroy. “I’m on the right track to do that.’’
The second round will resume at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., who shot 70 on Thursday, was among the golfers still out on the course Friday. He was at two-under through 12 holes when play was suspended. Dave Hearn of Brantford, Ont. shot 71 for the second straight day to sit at two-under 142. He was in a tie for 16th place.
The Memorial has a long history of bad weather and it’s a tough spot for it to happen. Slugger White, the tour’s vicepresident of competition, said more storms were expected early Saturday afternoon and into Sunday morning.
Morning or afternoon, Muirfield Village was no picnic.
However, Haas was played through it beautifully, taking advantage of one bad tee shot that he thought was headed out-of-bounds on the par5 11th. He hit a provisional, didn’t need it and wound up making a birdie. He also holed a bunker shot for eagle on No. 5 and was at 9-under 135.
He was three shots clear of Matt Kuchar, who had a 70, among those who finished the round.
Charl Schwartzel, who made 10 birdies in an opening-round 65, struggled on the greens and was 1-over for his day and three shots behind. He had three holes remaining. Bubba Watson was at 6-under through 14 holes.
The advantage for those still on the course was the rain delay of 1 1/2 hours. It rained hard for a short time, which slightly softened the greens, and the afternoon starters returned to a course with only a breeze.
“The wind died down, made it a lot easier to play the holes,’’ said Watson.
Kyle Stanley also was at 6-under and had five holes remaining.
McIlroy got the short end on the par-3 12th, slightly downhill and over the water. The wind not only was strong, it was unpredictable. McIlroy hit his tee shot and could only watch, hopeful it landed somewhere on dry land and in a reasonable spot. The horn to stop play sounded moments later.
Haas has been playing the Memorial since 2005 and he has been coming to Muirfield Village even longer since when his father, Jay Haas, was a regular. The son even caddied for the father one year and he received a sponsor’s exemption his first year out of Wake Forest.
Only six players from the morning round managed to break 70, a testament to a course that is dry and fast, especially on the greens. The wind was strong early and showed no sign of letting up, even after a 20-minute delay in the afternoon as storms threatened. The resurgent Robert Karlsson had a 71 and was five shots behind.