IRVING, Texas: Keegan Bradley followed up his stellar 10-under par first round with a one-under 69 yesterday to maintain a three-stroke lead in the US PGA Tour Byron Nelson Championship.
Former PGA Championship winner Bradley couldn’t match his opening-round exploits, but he had four birdies against three bogeys on a windy afternoon on the par-70 TPC Four Seasons Resort course to stay atop the leaderboard with an 11-under par total of 129.
Despite the more difficult conditions, Bradley emerged with the lowest 36-hole total at the tournament since 2001.
“I’m almost more proud of this round than yesterday because I didn’t feel comfortable all day,” said Bradley, who bookended his round with bogeys at the first and 18th.
“I don’t know what it was, I can’t put my finger on it but, you know, I bogeyed the first hole. I was a little uncomfortable and then I settled in and hit some really good shots.”
Bradley, whose 2011 victory in this event was his first on the US PGA Tour, got off to a rocky start when he missed the fairway at the first en route to a bogey.
At the 18th he drove into the right rough under the trees and eventually missed a putt to save par.
Tom Gillis took advantage of the more benign morning conditions to shoot a seven-under 63 that gave him a share of second place on 132 alongside South Korea’s Bae Sang-Moon.
Bae, who has won 11 times worldwide but has never won on the US PGA Tour, carded his second straight 66, his round featuring six birdies and two bogeys.
It was a further stroke back to John Huh (64), Ryan Palmer (68) and South African Charl Schwartzel (70) on 133.
“It was a bit up and down out there,” said former Masters champion Schwartzel, who had three birdies and three bogeys. “Bit of a frustrating day, but I suppose it’s the mix.”
Argentina’s Angel Cabrera carded a 69 to head a group of six players on 134.
China’s Guan Tianlang, who last month became the youngest golfer in Masters history, stumbled to a second-round 77 that left him on 147. AFP
