Blick, Williams tied for top spot on leaderboard
The first three events of the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada season are collectively known as “The B.C. Golf Swing,” with stops in Victoria and Kelowna after this week’s Freedom 55 Financial Open at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.
But given how much success Cody Blick has enjoyed over the course of his last three appearances in the province, officials might have to seriously consider reversing the letters in the opening series going forward.
“That would be cool,” said a laughing Blick at the suggestion after shooting a second-round 66 to enter the weekend atop the leaderboard at minus-12.
In addition to his early round success so far this week in Vancouver, the 24-year-old San Jose State University product has now pencilled in a 66 in each of his last four rounds in B.C. and posted nine consecutive rounds in the 60s dating to his second-round 69 at the Bayview Place Cardtronics Open in Victoria last year.
“I’m just trying to give myself opportunities,” said Blick, who began his second round on the 11th hole with a par. “The last seven holes — 12 through 18 — are pretty tough, but I made the turn and I knew once I got to one it was time to go.”
While he played the first two holes of the course level, the second-year man got things rolling from there, birdieing four straight and five-of-seven before wrapping up his round with a par on the 10th.
Not only is he feeling more comfortable in his second year on the Mackenzie Tour, but his familiarity with the course has allowed him to take a more aggressive approach off the tee as well.
“I think it’s just the strategy really,” he said. “I’m just hitting more drivers. Hole 4, you can get right up next to the green and then it’s just up-and-down for birdie. On five, I’m taking it over the trees. It’s a more aggressive, more confident game plan (and) I think it is the experience. I was really nervous my first year. I just feel good out here. I don’t know really what else to say. It’s a good feeling.”
After teeing off in one of Friday’s twin opening groups, Blick had completed his round and signed his scorecard before the afternoon session, which included first-round leader Chris Williams and several others who posted low scores in Thursday’s opening round, hit the course.
Rather than stick around and see what kind of numbers the rest of the field would post in the afternoon, the affable Californian opted instead to head back to the hotel, shut it down and prepare for a night on the range. “My brother is here, so I think we’re going to go hit the range tonight,” said Blick. “There’s one in Richmond with lights, so I think we’ll just hang out there and have a good time.”
Williams kept it clean all day, making five birdies, including one on the 18th, for a round of 67 to enter the weekend tied for the lead with Blick.
The former Hogan Award winner as the top collegiate golfer south of the border continued to play to his strengths, relying on his short game and smooth putting to remain in the thick of things heading into Saturday.
Low man for the day was LSU product Zack Wright, who wisely left a lengthy eagle putt below the hole on the 18th in order to tap in for birdie and a round of 63. After playing the four par-five holes level Thursday, Wright carded birdies on three of the four holes during Friday’s second round.
“I hit a couple in there tight and just had to tap them in,” said Wright, who went five-under on the more challenging back nine. “Plus the par fives — I got those today; didn’t get them yesterday.”
Following an opening-round 66, Jordan Neubrugge delivered a bogey-free 68 to finish two shots back of Blick at minus-10 heading into the weekend. The steady righty playing out of Mequon, Wis., had a chance to get lower, but a sprinkler head slowed his third shot from the rough on 18 before his birdie chip just slipped by the hole.
CANUCKS ON THE COURSE
After leading the way for the Canadian contingent Thursday, Riley Wheeldon and Andrew Funk maintained their position atop the list of players flying the Maple Leaf into the weekend.
Kimberley’s Jared du Toit battled on the back nine Friday, his first nine of the second round, mixing two birdies with two bogeys through the 18th hole after beginning his round on the 11th. But the 23-year-old Arizona State University product birdied the first before adding birdies on the fourth and fifth to get it to threeunder for the day and two-under for the tournament.
Three other Canucks — Ryan Williams, Aaron Cockerill and Jimmy Jones — all finished at even-par through the second round to make it into the weekend.
It’s a more aggressive, more confident game plan (and) I think it is the experience. … I just feel good out here.