Dufner’s late show
Four birdies in the final five holes allow Jason to snatch halfway lead
I’ve got some mechanical issues where I was not striking the ball very solid. I was able to hit decent shots on the back nine ... but that last hole stunk.
— PHIL MICKELSON
DALLAS (Texas): American Jason Dufner rolled in four birdies on his final five holes for a four–under 66 and a one–shot lead after the second round of the Byron Nelson Champ-ionship on Friday.
Dufner finished off his round with a 37–foot chip–in at the 18th hole. His drive off the tee sailed wide right and he hit an approach that rolled over the green.
“I’m confident with my game and happy with where my game is right now,” he said.
Dufner, who won last month in New Orleans for his first USPGA Tour title, reached seven– under 133. He also had a 35–foot chip in at the 15th hole.
He had the 36–hole lead at the Masters, one of four times Dufner has led after two rounds this season.
Because he has won before after leading at the halfway point of a tournament, Dufner feels he can do it again.
“It was a nice way to finish, looking forward to the weekend,” Dufner said.
“I was kind of around par for the day, trying to stay patient a little bit, maybe get a birdie or two on the last five holes and ended up getting birdie on four of the last five, couple of chipins, which you don’t expect, especially the one on 18.
“That’s a difficult position to be over the back of that green to that hole location.
Matt Kuchar was second along with first round leader Ryan Palmer, Chad Campbell, Pat Perez, Dicky Pride and Marc Leishman.
Kuchar shot a 68 and is fresh off a win at last week’s Players Championship.
Phil Mickelson, who is one of just two top 10 players in the field, finished with a double bogey for a 69. He was not happy with his round.
“I hit it terrible today, there was no other way around it,” Mickelson said.
“I’ve just got some mechanical issues where I was not striking the ball very solid. I was able to hit decent shots on the back nine to make birdies and make a run, but that last hole stunk.”
Kuchar has a chance to become the first PGA Tour player since Tiger Woods three years ago to win in consecutive weeks.
Woods also was the last player to win in his next start after winning The Players Championship.
He did it in 2001. – AFP