Leishman puts bigger names in the shade
Day, Fowler lie three strokes adrift of the Australian at Chicago
Marc Leishman fired eight birdies in a seven-under 64 on Friday to stretch his lead in the BMW Championship to three strokes over fellow Aussie Jason Day and Rickie Fowler.
After his only bogey of the day at the par-three 17th, Leishman birdied the par-five 18th at Conway Farms to complete 36 holes at 16 under par 126.
“I’m pretty happy with backing up a 62 with a 64,” said Leishman, who started the day with a two-stroke lead.
Four birdies on each side ensured Leishman finished the day atop the leaderboard despite the strong performances of Day and Fowler.
Day carded a six-under 65, benefiting from what he called a “lucky” hole-in-one at the par-three 17th — where his tee shot hit in front of the green, bounced and rolled in.
“We were trying to land it 182 [yards] and I kind of pushed it,” said Day, who won the 2015 title at Conway Farms. “It was a lucky hole-in-one, I guess.
“It’s been, I think, 10 years since last time I had a holein-one,” added Day, who had already chipped in for eagle at the par-five 14th. “I’ve had two Marc Leishman (Australia) 62 64 Jason Day (Australia) 64 65 Rickie Fowler (US) 65 64 Patrick Cantlay (US) 67 65 Francesco Molinari (Italy) 68 65 Stewart Cink (US) 67 66 Brendan Steele (US) 68 66 Cameron Smith (Australia) 66 68 Gary Woodland (US) 67 67 Hudson Swafford (US) 68 66 Jamie Lovemark (US) 64 70 eagles and a hole-in-one this week already, so everything’s come in bunches.”
Fowler also finished strong, with three birdies and an eagle from the 13th through 17th of a 64 for 129. American Patrick Cantlay was alone in fourth after a 65 for 132. British Open champion Jordan Spieth carded a one-under par 70 to lie nine shots off the pace on 135.