Tour Report: Damage control keeps Vegas on top (PGATOUR.com)
September 30, 2011
At 8:11 p.m. ET (5:11 p.m. local time), second-round play at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open was halted after lightning was spotted in the area.
There is no estimate for when play will resume.
Kevin Na, Jhonattan Vegas and Charlie Wi still share the clubhouse lead at 12 under. The best scores still on the course belong to Kris Blanks (-10 through 17), Boo Weekley (-9 through 17) and Garrett Willis (-9 through 16).
Damage control keeps Vegas on top
Halleran/Getty ImagesJhonattan Vegas did just enough to keep himself tied for the lead for the second straight night.
By Chris Dunham, PGATOUR.COM
It wasn’t as spectacular as his 10-birdie opening round that placed him in a first-place tie on Thursday, but Jhonattan Vegas’s 4-under 67 Friday was enough to keep him tied for the lead after 36 holes at TPC Summerlin.
The round wasn’t without its struggles. Vegas hit his second shot into the water hazard short of the green on the par-5 16th and went on to bogey the easiest hole on the course. Four holes later, he thought that he’d hit his tee shot on the par-4 5th out of bounds, hit a provisional, but found his original ball in a hazard left of the fairway. After taking a drop, Vegas went on to bogey that hole, but he picked up two birdies down the stretch to join Kevin Na and Charlie Wi at 12 under.
“I literally didn’t really see where the ball ended up,” Vegas said. “I was just looking for it right there in the trees and thinking that I would have to hit my fifth shot from the right side and then one of the scorers found it way down there. Luckily it was my ball. How it got there, I have no clue, but it was one of those fortunate breaks that you get and when you’re playing well.”
Vegas hit two fewer greens and needed two more putts than he did in his opening round. He kept himself on top by limiting the damage on the two holes when things could have gotten away from him. An eagle from a greenside bunker on the drivable par-4 15th didn’t hurt matters, either.
“I felt like I putted really well today,” Vegas said. “My ball striking wasn’t as good as it was yesterday and that’s kind of why the round wasn’t as good as yesterday. But my putting’s been pretty well, which that’s kind of what I’ve worked for. And hopefully I can continue that for two more days and we’ll be right there where we are.”
The rookie won in his second start as a PGA TOUR member, at January’s Bob Hope Classic and continued his strong play through early March. He’s emerged from a mid-year drought where he missed six of seven cuts by making his last nine entering this week. None of those nine made cuts resulted in a top-30 finish, however.
Though this is his first time in contention since early in the season, Vegas just plans to stay the course over the weekend as he looks to become the second rookie to win twice in 2011.
“Same gameplan,” he said. “I feel like I’m playing great. Stay aggressive, try to keep making putts and we’ll see what happens.”
Watney quietly moving up the ranks
There has been a Nick Watney sighting in Las Vegas.
The highest-rated player in this week’s field (No. 3 on the money list) has been as under-the-radar as possible during the first two rounds in Las Vegas. His first-round 65 left him two shots out of the lead Thursday and, after starting 1-over through six holes, Watney has turned things around with tap-in birdies on the drivable par-4 14th and the par-5 15th to reach 3 under on his round.
Watney, Carl Pettersson and Boo Weekley are the top three on the course, all tied at 9 under, three shots off the pace. Six others on the course are at 8 under with opportunities to gain ground before the weekend in Vegas.
Herron putting experience to good use
In this year of the young gun, there’s still something to be said for experience.
Making his 13th start in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Childern Open, 41-year-old Tim Herron is 11 under through two rounds, just one shot off the pace. He’s one of just two 40-somethings among the 11 players at 10 under or better.
Herron
Herron attributes his early success at TPC Summerlin to his history at the course.
“I know it’s a shootout on the weekend, so I’m just hoping to keep rolling the putts,” he said. “Today I made a lot of 15, 20-footers. I know the greens pretty well, so I need to stay aggressive with the putting.”
Herron had a streak of three consecutive top-30 finishes at Summerlin snapped last year when he missed the cut after a pair of 71s. After a 65-66 start, his best first two rounds here since 2003, the four-time PGA TOUR winner is positioned to move up from No. 105 on the money list and secure his TOUR card for 2012.
Unlikely birdie sparks Na in Round 2
Halleran/Getty ImagesKevin Na birdied seven of his last 10 holes Friday to gain a share of the 36-hole lead.
By Chris Dunham, PGATOUR.COM
Kevin Na birdied seven of his last 10 holes Friday to reach 12 under and tie Jhonattan Vegas and Charlie Wi atop the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open leaderboard.
Na opened with four consecutive pars and seven in eight holes before stealing a shot at the par-5 ninth to jump-start his round.
“On 9 I was just thinking hit the fairway and get a chance at eagle and I hit it in the rough,” Na said. “Same spot I did yesterday. It’s the thickest part — thickest rough on the golf course. I had no shot, laid up. And I hit an 8-iron to about a foot and that’s where I think I got my round going.”
After that birdie, the Las Vegas resident’s confidence soared and he began attacking pins. Na kept his momentum going with a 1-foot, 7-inch birdie putt on No. 10 and went on to make six birdies on his back nine.
“I turned around and hit it to a foot on 10, and 12 I hit it like six feet and made it,” Na said. “Three-and-a-half feet, chipped from three and a half feet, made it; 10 feet, made it. Actually drivable par-4 is one I felt like I left one out there, and then obviously again on the par-5, chipped it to about four or five feet and made it.”
Na, making his first start since missing the cut at both The Barclays and the Deutsche Bank Championship, posted his best round in 18 tries at TPC Summerlin with an 8-under 63.
“I got some good rest coming into this week,” he said. “I was just hoping to make some putts today because I was hitting the ball really well. Yesterday I hit it really well. I felt like I could have scored better, and today the only difference was I was making putts.”
Strong pro-am helps Wi to 36-hole lead
Halleran/Getty ImagesCharlie Wi is chasing his first top-10 finish since May.
By Chris Dunham, PGATOUR.COM
It’s been an awkward stretch for Charlie Wi.
This year, he fell short of qualifying for the BMW Championship — the third leg of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup — for the first time since 2007 and now he’s making his first appearance in this event since 2008.
Along with the scheduling changes, Wi got his week kick started during the Wednesday pro-am at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. He carried that momentum into the tournament and is 12 under, tied with Jhonattan Vegas and Kevin Na for the lead, after 36 holes.
“I made nine birdies on Wednesday and everything felt really good,” Wi said. “I was able to carry that over. I know guys are pretty shy about playing well on Wednesdays, but score any time when you’re out there.”
Wi’s season has been marked by inconsistency, as well. Aside from his runner-up finish to David Toms at The Crowne Plaza Invitational, Wi has just three top-25 finishes in his other 22 starts this year.
“I’ve had a pretty up-and-down this year, and I want to go out with a bang, make sure my game is ready for next year,” Wi said. “And you know, I worked really hard the last three weeks, so I want to see how — I want to perform well the next three weeks, carry that into 2012.”
One thing constant the four-time PGA TOUR runner-up always carries with him is his putter. The flatstick, which has Wi rated 3rd on the TOUR in Strokes Gained – Putting, has been there again for Wi through the first two rounds at TPC Summerlin, where he is tied for the field lead with 14 birdies. His 26 putts-per-round average through two days has been key to his tying for the 36-hole lead.
“Golf is a funny game,” he said. “You could be playing well, but that doesn’t necessarily turn into a lot of birdies. I was able to make some putts out there, and I think people that are scoring well out there are the ones making putts.”
Back nine still Summerlin’s scoring nine
The back nine at TPC Summerlin played 1.5 strokes easier in relation to par than the front nine during the first round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. That average is skewing even more in the favor of the home nine Friday, at least with those posting the day’s best scores.
Six players have reached the clubhouse with scores of 6 under or better in their second rounds. Those players are a combined 30 under on the back nine and just 14 under on the front.
Trevor Immelman Is putting together a back nine that has him fitting right in.
With five consecutive birdies on holes 12 through 16, the 2008 Masters Champion has the best round of the afternoon to this point and is three shots out of the lead shared by Kevin Na, Charlie Wi and Jhonattan Vegas.
Immelman, who hasn’t notched a top-10 finish since the 2008 TOUR Championship, is now tied for 12th, and has 10 holes remaining in his second round.
Joining him at 5 under this afternoon is D.J. Trahan. Trahan entered the day at 1 over and had five birdies on the back nine at TPC Summerlin to move inside the current projected cut line.
Currently there are 11 players at 3 under or better in the afternoon wave. Of those 11, nine started their rounds on the back nine. Only Joe Ogilvie (-3 through 10) and Stephen Ames (-3 through 
are bucking the trend.
Haas ties course record after 59 threat
Halleran/Getty ImagesA Vegas 59 wasn’t in the cards for Hunter Haas, but his 61 puts him into contention.
By Chris Dunham, PGATOUR.COM
A year after the PGA TOUR saw two 59s in one season, Hunter Haas threatened the number again at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
Haas played his final four holes at even par Friday after getting to 10 under on the par-71 layout at TPC Summerlin. That number is where he would finish up, posting at 61 that ties Tag Ridings and Davis Love III for the course record.
It could have been so much more if not for a bogey on No. 6, his 15th hole of the day, that halted his momentum.
“I know I had a chance,” Haas said. “After I birdied the fourth or fifth hole, you know, at the par 3 I knew I had at least three good birdie opportunities coming in … And I screwed it up.”
After making the turn in 30, Haas started the front nine with four birdies on his first five holes. Standing in the middle of TPC Summerlin’s sixth fairway with a wedge in his hands, Haas was in position to attack for one of the two birdies he would need on the final four holes to shoot the sixth 59 in PGA TOUR history.
His wedge shot fell 34 yards short and right of the pin in the right rough, just his second missed green of the day. Then the pitch settled 18 feet from the pin. Two putts later, Haas had his first bogey of the day and his hopes of a 59 were all but dashed.
“The one bogey I had I was in the middle of the fairway,” he said. “It’s kind of like yesterday. I made two bogeys from the middle of the fairway with wedge in my hand, and that’s kind of disappointing. I did the same today. That’s three bogeys with a wedge in my hand (this week).”
Aside from the miss on No. 6, Haas’ ball striking on approach shots was nearly flawless on Friday. The 34-year-old Texan hit nine fairways in Round 2 and notched 16 greens in regulation.
“I’m still trying to tighten up my ball striking,” Haas said. “I hit a few errant shots, but there’s a lot of short irons out there on this golf course. If you drive your ball well, you’re probably going to have a lot of birdie opportunities.”
Haas was leaving himself great opportunities and converting. Of his nine second-round birdies, six came from inside 8 feet.
“I was burning (the edges) pretty good yesterday, but honestly, I just wasn’t happy with the way I hit my wedges, and I was a little frustrated,” Haas said. “But I hit probably three or four shots pretty close today, and I just felt good over the putts.”
Haas will the weekend at TPC Summerlin at least two shots off the pace, needing to continue striking the ball well to get to the top of the leaderboard. His best two-round stretch of the 2011 season up to this point came in Rounds 1 and 2 of the Viking Classic where he went 66-64 and went on to finish in a tie for 4th.
“We’ll see if I can go out and do what I did today (again) tomorrow,” Haas said. “And it was tough, but I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Lead continues to change hands
It started with Jhonattan Vegas and William McGirt. Then Brendan Steele surged ahead. Then Hunter Haas was briefly on top as he chased a 59.
Now Kevin Na, in the clubhouse after an 8-under 63, and Vegas, who tapped in for a birdie on No. 9 to complete a 67, are tied for the lead at 12 under. Joining them in the dozen-under club, but still on the course, is Charlie Wi. The South Korean is 5 under for the day and is about to tee off on the 444-yard par-4 18th.
If Wi can’t move ahead, maybe McGirt can. He’s at 10 under with four holes remaining in his second round. If neither Wi nor McGirt moves ahead, 12 under looks like it will be the number for at least a couple more hours.
Haas settles for 61, Na takes the lead
The PGA TOUR scoring record wasn’t in the cards for Hunter Haas on Friday in Las Vegas, but a share of the course record was.
Haas, who started his second round on No. 10, needed just two birdies over his final four holes Friday to become the sixth player in PGA TOUR history to reach the 59 mark. Unfortunately, he gave a shot away at TPC Summerlin’s par-4 6th hole. He rebounded with a birdie on No. 7 to get back to 10 under, but could not convert long putts on Nos. 8 (43-foot birdie try) and 9 (120-foot eagle attempt) to bring 59 back into the picture.
With his three-putt par on No. 9, Haas dropped to a 10-under 61, tying Tag Ridings (2004) and Davis Love III (2001) for the TPC Summerlin course record.
While Haas was making his final bid for a 59, Kevin Na birdied five of six holes to take a two-shot lead at 12 under. Na is playing the 18th at TPC Summerlin to close out his round.
Halleran/Getty Images Jhonattan Vegas did just enough to keep himself tied for the lead for the second straight night. By Chris Dunham, PGATOUR.COM It wasnât as spectacular as his 10-birdie opening round that placed him in a first-place tie on Thursday, but Jhonattan Vegasâs 4-under 67 Friday was enough to keep him tied for the […]
Second-round tee times for SAS Championship (PGATOUR.com)
September 30, 2011
Second-round times. All times are neighborhood.
SAS Championship Tee #2TimePlayers10:20 amChien Soon LuTom JenkinsGary Koch10:29 amSteve LoweryDavid EgerMark Wiebe10:39 amTom PurtzerMark BrooksTommy Armour III10:48 amScott HochDavid FrostWayne Levi10:58 amDana QuigleyTed SchulzDan Forsman11:07 amTim SimpsonCraig StadlerJoey Sindelar11:17 amRonnie BlackBob GilderFulton Allem11:26 amTom LehmanBobby WadkinsJohn Huston11:36 amMorris HatalskyScott SimpsonChip Beck11:45 amFred CouplesOlin BrowneBobby Clampett11:55 amHal SuttonSteve JonesJay Don Blake12:04 pmPeter SeniorRod SpittleJeff Sluman12:14 pmKenny PerryGary HallbergJ.L. Lewis12:23 pmCorey PavinNick PriceRuss Cochran10:20 amVicente FernandezJohn HarrisJoe Ozaki10:29 amBrad FaxonTom KiteHale Irwin10:39 amD.A. WeibringLarry MizeLarry Nelson10:48 amJim RutledgeJoe DaleyJim Gallagher, Jr.10:58 amJim ThorpeMike ReidBernhard Langer11:07 amLonnie NielsenEduardo RomeroMark Calcavecchia11:17 amBruce FleisherPeter JacobsenFuzzy Zoeller11:26 amLoren RobertsAllen DoyleKeith Fergus11:36 amDave RummellsDoug TewellBill Glasson11:45 amJohn CookPhil BlackmarSteve Pate11:55 amDavid PeoplesCurtis StrangeMike Goodes12:04 pmMark McNultyGil Morgan12:14 pmBob TwayBen Crenshaw
Tour Report: Watney quietly moving up the ranks (PGATOUR.com)
September 30, 2011
In this year of the young gun, there’s still something to be said for experience.
Making his 13th start in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Childern Open, 41-year-old Tim Herron is 11 under through two rounds, just one shot off the pace. He’s one of just two 40-somethings among the 11 players at 10 under or better.
Herron
Herron attributes his early success at TPC Summerlin to his history at the course.
“I know it’s a shootout on the weekend, so I’m just hoping to keep rolling the putts,” he said. “Today I made a lot of 15, 20-footers. I know the greens pretty well, so I need to stay aggressive with the putting.”
Herron had a streak of three consecutive top-30 finishes at Summerlin snapped last year when he missed the cut after a pair of 71s. After a 65-66 start, his best first two rounds here since 2003, the four-time PGA TOUR winner is positioned to move up from No. 105 on the money list and secure his TOUR card for 2012.
Unlikely birdie sparks Na in Round 2
Halleran/Getty ImagesKevin Na birdied seven of his last 10 holes Friday to gain a share of the 36-hole lead.
By Chris Dunham, PGATOUR.COM
Kevin Na birdied seven of his last 10 holes Friday to reach 12 under and tie Jhonattan Vegas and Charlie Wi atop the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open leaderboard.
Na opened with four consecutive pars and seven in eight holes before stealing a shot at the par-5 ninth to jump-start his round.
“On 9 I was just thinking hit the fairway and get a chance at eagle and I hit it in the rough,” Na said. “Same spot I did yesterday. It’s the thickest part — thickest rough on the golf course. I had no shot, laid up. And I hit an 8-iron to about a foot and that’s where I think I got my round going.”
After that birdie, the Las Vegas resident’s confidence soared and he began attacking pins. Na kept his momentum going with a 1-foot, 7-inch birdie putt on No. 10 and went on to make six birdies on his back nine.
“I turned around and hit it to a foot on 10, and 12 I hit it like six feet and made it,” Na said. “Three-and-a-half feet, chipped from three and a half feet, made it; 10 feet, made it. Actually drivable par-4 is one I felt like I left one out there, and then obviously again on the par-5, chipped it to about four or five feet and made it.”
Na, making his first start since missing the cut at both The Barclays and the Deutsche Bank Championship, posted his best round in 18 tries at TPC Summerlin with an 8-under 63.
“I got some good rest coming into this week,” he said. “I was just hoping to make some putts today because I was hitting the ball really well. Yesterday I hit it really well. I felt like I could have scored better, and today the only difference was I was making putts.”
Strong pro-am helps Wi to 36-hole lead
Halleran/Getty ImagesCharlie Wi is chasing his first top-10 finish since May.
By Chris Dunham, PGATOUR.COM
It’s been an awkward stretch for Charlie Wi.
This year, he fell short of qualifying for the BMW Championship — the third leg of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup — for the first time since 2007 and now he’s making his first appearance in this event since 2008.
Along with the scheduling changes, Wi got his week kick started during the Wednesday pro-am at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. He carried that momentum into the tournament and is 12 under, tied with Jhonattan Vegas and Kevin Na for the lead, after 36 holes.
“I made nine birdies on Wednesday and everything felt really good,” Wi said. “I was able to carry that over. I know guys are pretty shy about playing well on Wednesdays, but score any time when you’re out there.”
Wi’s season has been marked by inconsistency, as well. Aside from his runner-up finish to David Toms at The Crowne Plaza Invitational, Wi has just three top-25 finishes in his other 22 starts this year.
“I’ve had a pretty up-and-down this year, and I want to go out with a bang, make sure my game is ready for next year,” Wi said. “And you know, I worked really hard the last three weeks, so I want to see how — I want to perform well the next three weeks, carry that into 2012.”
One thing constant the four-time PGA TOUR runner-up always carries with him is his putter. The flatstick, which has Wi rated 3rd on the TOUR in Strokes Gained – Putting, has been there again for Wi through the first two rounds at TPC Summerlin, where he is tied for the field lead with 14 birdies. His 26 putts-per-round average through two days has been key to his tying for the 36-hole lead.
“Golf is a funny game,” he said. “You could be playing well, but that doesn’t necessarily turn into a lot of birdies. I was able to make some putts out there, and I think people that are scoring well out there are the ones making putts.”
Back nine still Summerlin’s scoring nine
The back nine at TPC Summerlin played 1.5 strokes easier in relation to par than the front nine during the first round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. That average is skewing even more in the favor of the home nine Friday, at least with those posting the day’s best scores.
Six players have reached the clubhouse with scores of 6 under or better in their second rounds. Those players are a combined 30 under on the back nine and just 14 under on the front.
Trevor Immelman Is putting together a back nine that has him fitting right in.
With five consecutive birdies on holes 12 through 16, the 2008 Masters Champion has the best round of the afternoon to this point and is three shots out of the lead shared by Kevin Na, Charlie Wi and Jhonattan Vegas.
Immelman, who hasn’t notched a top-10 finish since the 2008 TOUR Championship, is now tied for 12th, and has 10 holes remaining in his second round.
Joining him at 5 under this afternoon is D.J. Trahan. Trahan entered the day at 1 over and had five birdies on the back nine at TPC Summerlin to move inside the current projected cut line.
Currently there are 11 players at 3 under or better in the afternoon wave. Of those 11, nine started their rounds on the back nine. Only Joe Ogilvie (-3 through 10) and Stephen Ames (-3 through are bucking the trend.
Early Round 1 leaders set to take course
Before Jhonattan Vegas, William McGirt, Hunter Haas and anyone else inside the current top 10 took the course Thursday, the guys listed below were your leaders. The majority of the 10 listed below are fighting for spots inside the top 125 on the money list.
Below are the players who posted scores of 65 or better in Round 1 that have afternoon tee times Friday. Track them all afternoon to see who can string together back-to-back good rounds at TPC Summerlin and regain their position near the top of the leaderboard.
PlayerMoneyrankScoreTee timeStartingholeShot TrackerNathan Green178th7 under3:17 p.m. ETNo. 10Click to followSteve Flesch122nd6 under2:39 p.m. ETNo. 1Click to followMatt Jones121st6 under2:49 p.m. ETNo. 10Click to followRod Pampling119th6 under2:49 p.m. ETNo. 1Click to followHarrison Frazar64th6 under2:58 p.m. ETNo. 10Click to followNick Watney3rd6 under2:58 p.m. ETNo. 1Click to followDerek Lamely194th6 under3:17 p.m. ETNo. 10Click to followVaughn Taylor148th6 under3:17 p.m. ETNo. 1Click to followBlake Adams82nd6 under3:46 p.m. ETNo. 10Click to followGarrett Willis141st6 under3:46 p.m. ETNo. 10Click to follow
Haas ties course record after 59 threat
Halleran/Getty ImagesA Vegas 59 wasn’t in the cards for Hunter Haas, but his 61 puts him into contention.
By Chris Dunham, PGATOUR.COM
A year after the PGA TOUR saw two 59s in one season, Hunter Haas threatened the number again at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
Haas played his final four holes at even par Friday after getting to 10 under on the par-71 layout at TPC Summerlin. That number is where he would finish up, posting at 61 that ties Tag Ridings and Davis Love III for the course record.
It could have been so much more if not for a bogey on No. 6, his 15th hole of the day, that halted his momentum.
“I know I had a chance,” Haas said. “After I birdied the fourth or fifth hole, you know, at the par 3 I knew I had at least three good birdie opportunities coming in … And I screwed it up.”
After making the turn in 30, Haas started the front nine with four birdies on his first five holes. Standing in the middle of TPC Summerlin’s sixth fairway with a wedge in his hands, Haas was in position to attack for one of the two birdies he would need on the final four holes to shoot the sixth 59 in PGA TOUR history.
His wedge shot fell 34 yards short and right of the pin in the right rough, just his second missed green of the day. Then the pitch settled 18 feet from the pin. Two putts later, Haas had his first bogey of the day and his hopes of a 59 were all but dashed.
“The one bogey I had I was in the middle of the fairway,” he said. “It’s kind of like yesterday. I made two bogeys from the middle of the fairway with wedge in my hand, and that’s kind of disappointing. I did the same today. That’s three bogeys with a wedge in my hand (this week).”
Aside from the miss on No. 6, Haas’ ball striking on approach shots was nearly flawless on Friday. The 34-year-old Texan hit nine fairways in Round 2 and notched 16 greens in regulation.
“I’m still trying to tighten up my ball striking,” Haas said. “I hit a few errant shots, but there’s a lot of short irons out there on this golf course. If you drive your ball well, you’re probably going to have a lot of birdie opportunities.”
Haas was leaving himself great opportunities and converting. Of his nine second-round birdies, six came from inside 8 feet.
“I was burning (the edges) pretty good yesterday, but honestly, I just wasn’t happy with the way I hit my wedges, and I was a little frustrated,” Haas said. “But I hit probably three or four shots pretty close today, and I just felt good over the putts.”
Haas will the weekend at TPC Summerlin at least two shots off the pace, needing to continue striking the ball well to get to the top of the leaderboard. His best two-round stretch of the 2011 season up to this point came in Rounds 1 and 2 of the Viking Classic where he went 66-64 and went on to finish in a tie for 4th.
“We’ll see if I can go out and do what I did today (again) tomorrow,” Haas said. “And it was tough, but I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Lead continues to change hands
It started with Jhonattan Vegas and William McGirt. Then Brendan Steele surged ahead. Then Hunter Haas was briefly on top as he chased a 59.
Now Kevin Na, in the clubhouse after an 8-under 63, and Vegas, who tapped in for a birdie on No. 9 to complete a 67, are tied for the lead at 12 under. Joining them in the dozen-under club, but still on the course, is Charlie Wi. The South Korean is 5 under for the day and is about to tee off on the 444-yard par-4 18th.
If Wi can’t move ahead, maybe McGirt can. He’s at 10 under with four holes remaining in his second round. If neither Wi nor McGirt moves ahead, 12 under looks like it will be the number for at least a couple more hours.
Haas settles for 61, Na takes the lead
The PGA TOUR scoring record wasn’t in the cards for Hunter Haas on Friday in Las Vegas, but a share of the course record was.
Haas, who started his second round on No. 10, needed just two birdies over his final four holes Friday to become the sixth player in PGA TOUR history to reach the 59 mark. Unfortunately, he gave a shot away at TPC Summerlin’s par-4 6th hole. He rebounded with a birdie on No. 7 to get back to 10 under, but could not convert long putts on Nos. 8 (43-foot birdie try) and 9 (120-foot eagle attempt) to bring 59 back into the picture.
With his three-putt par on No. 9, Haas dropped to a 10-under 61, tying Tag Ridings (2004) and Davis Love III (2001) for the TPC Summerlin course record.
While Haas was making his final bid for a 59, Kevin Na birdied five of six holes to take a two-shot lead at 12 under. Na is playing the 18th at TPC Summerlin to close out his round.
Update: Haas bogeys No. 6, birdies No. 7
Hunter Haas’ bid for a 59 took a major hit with a bogey on TPC Summerlin’s par-4 6th hole.
In ideal position, 153 yards from the pin after his tee shot, Haas missed the green short and right. From the rough, he pitched up to just inside 18 feet and just missed the long par-saver.
Haas’ 59 hopes didn’t go by the wayside with the bogey, though. He rebounded with a birdie on No. 7 and is back to 10 under with two holes remaining.
Haas heads to the tee on the par-3 8th, needing to go 2 under on his final two holes today for a piece of history.
Haas, who was even in his opening round, is at 10 under for the week and tied atop a crowded leaderboard with Kevin Na, Brendan Steele, Jhonattan Vegas, Tim Herron and William McGirt.
Click here to track Haas live, shot-by-shot
Haas chasing a 59 at TPC Summerlin
The 59 watch is officially on at TPC Summerlin.
Hunter Haas is 10 under through 14 holes today in Las Vegas and in position to become the sixth player in PGA TOUR history to shoot 59 — or possibly the first to best it.
TPC Summerlin is a par-71 layout, meaning 2 under over the last four holes (and 12 under total) would be enough to reach the milestone number.
Ahead of Haas are par 4s at Nos. 6 (430 yards) and 7 (382 yards), the 239-yard par-3 8th and the 563-yard par-5 9th. No. 8 played as the second-toughest hole on the course, with just five birdies and 30 bogeys posted in Thursday’s opening round. The par-5 9th was the second easiest in Round 1, surrendering 61 birdies and nine eagles.
Click here to track Haas live, shot-by-shot
In this year of the young gun, thereâs still something to be said for experience. Making his 13th start in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Childern Open, 41-year-old Tim Herron is 11 under through two rounds, just one shot off the pace. Heâs one of just two 40-somethings among the 11 players at 10 […]
Halladay leads Phillies into NLDS opener
September 30, 2011
PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Roy Halladay(notes) came to Philadelphia to pitch in October,realizing the normal season was a needed formality.
Halladay’s initial trip to the postseason was very a memorable one, though itended in bitter disappointment. The two-time Cy Young Award winner, histeammates and just about everyone else in Philadelphia expects the Phillies towin the Globe Series this time about.
1st, they have to beat the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals in the NL divisionseries. Game 1 is Saturday at Citizens Bank Park, with Halladay opposing KyleLohse(notes).
“We had been anxious in spring coaching,” Halladay said Friday. “I know youplay 162 games and you get to this point. This is the enjoyable component. We’re lookingforward to it. Naturally, the ultimate aim is to win a Globe Series, but we’vedone a lot of fantastic things this year, and we have a excellent team.
“I believe to a man in that clubhouse, there’s not a guy who would tell youthat he would not be disappointed if we didn’t win it all.”
The teams took distinct paths to get here.
Led by their Four Aces, the Phillies cruised to their fifth straight NL Easttitle, winning a franchise-record and significant league-ideal 102 games.
The Cardinals needed an amazing collapse by Atlanta and help fromPhiladelphia to earn the wild card. St. Louis trailed the Braves by 10 1/2 games onAug. 25, but went 23-8 the rest of the way and got in following Game 162 when thePhillies completed a three-game sweep of Atlanta.
“They are incredibly superior,” Phils manager Charlie Manuel stated. “They’re playinggood, especially the last two or 3 weeks, and without having a doubt, we’ve got ourwork cut out. 3 out of 5 is a short series, and for us to be playing themat this time, we’ve got to play excellent baseball.”
Halladay also praised the Cardinals, calling them a “dangerous” team. Butthe large appropriate-hander borrowed a line from William Shakespeare to make it clearhe’s not intimidated by Albert Pujols(notes) or the rest of St. Louis’ potent offense.
“I heard a quote a lengthy time ago: ‘I came here to bury Caesar, not praisehim,”’ Halladay said. “I believe it’s accurate. We’re all conscious of how excellent the teamis. We clearly have respect for what they’ve completed and how they’ve played, butyou have to be confident going in that you’re going to be able to beat them.”
Halladay got his very first taste of the postseason last October following spending12 years in Toronto searching up at the Yankees and Red Sox in the standings. Hisdebut was one for the ages. Halladay threw the second no-hitter in postseasonhistory in Philadelphia’s four- victory more than Cincinnati in Game 1 of the 2010NLDS.
But Halladay lost to Tim Lincecum(notes) in the opener of the NL championshipseries and the Phillies had been eliminated in six games by the San FranciscoGiants, falling two wins short of a third consecutive pennant. That won’t beacceptable in this all-or-nothing season.
“I don’t really see a lot of the added pressure,” Halladay said. “I thinkthat everyone expects of us what we anticipate of ourselves.”
The Cardinals (90-72) won six of nine against Philadelphia in the course of theseason, with two of those wins coming proper right after the Phillies wrapped up thedivision.
Players from both teams recognize that typical-season success doesn’t meanmuch in the playoffs.
“It’s not going to be the exact same,” Cardinals slugger Lance Berkman(notes) said. “Alot is going to be produced of the truth that we played pretty properly against thePhillies this year, but with the playoffs all around it’s a various story. Wejust have to come out and try to be the team that we’ve been more than the last monththis year. If we do, we have a opportunity.”
While oddsmakers list the Phillies as three-1 favorites, the Cardinals don’tconsider themselves underdogs.
“We’re facing a tough group over there that had the ideal record inbaseball,” stated Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter, who will begin Game 2 on threedays’ rest. “They’ve got some truly excellent starting pitching, a tough park toplay in with their fans, but we’re gonna give it our best effort and go aheadand get it. Anything can occur. I don’t believe there’s a preferred anywhere.”
The Phillies enter the postseason with all of their regulars, and a new-looklineup that was 4- following an eight-game losing streak. Chase Utley(notes), the longtimeNo. 3 hitter, now bats second behind Jimmy Rollins(notes). Hunter Pence(notes), who will makehis postseason debut, hits third ahead of Ryan Howard(notes). Shane Victorino(notes), RaulIbanez(notes), Placido Polanco(notes) and Carlos Ruiz(notes) round out a lineup that has additional balancetop-to-bottom than any of the previous ones.
The Cardinals are banged up heading in, though it appears shortstop RafaelFurcal(notes) (hamstring) and left fielder Matt Holliday(notes) (hand) will be on the rosterwhen it’s submitted to the league Saturday morning.
Greinke to start Game 2 on 3 days’ rest
September 30, 2011
MILWAUKEE (AP)—The Milwaukee Brewers will start off Zack Greinke(notes) in Sunday’sGame two of the NL division series.
Greinke will be pitching on three days’ rest for the second straight turn.
With the Brewers trying to nail down household-field advantage in the very first roundof the playoffs, Greinke pitched six innings and got the win in Wednesday’sseason finale against Pittsburgh. Greinke’s prior start off came Sept. 24 againstFlorida.
The choice to start Greinke on brief rest makes it possible for Milwaukee to get started ShaunMarcum(notes) in Game three at Arizona. Marcum was five-4 with a 4.81 ERA at residence and 8-3 witha two.21 ERA on the road this season.
Greinke, meanwhile, was 11- with a three.13 ERA in 15 starts at residence thisseason.
“I feel those two guys, they’ve been fantastic for us all year,” stated YovaniGallardo(notes), who will pitch Saturday’s Game 1. “They’ve been performing a wonderful job.They did a wonderful job, and, of course, we all know what they’re capable of doing.You guys seen it for yourself. And not only them, I believe also with Randy Wolf(notes)and (Chris) Narveson and they stepped up in certain scenarios. We pick eachother up, which created us get here.”
Milwaukee’s Game 4 choices would include starting Wolf or bringing backGallardo on short rest—potentially giving Greinke a second begin at residence inGame 5.
Reagins resigns as Angels GM
September 30, 2011
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—Tony Reagins has resigned as common manager of theLos Angeles Angels following the team failed to make the playoffs for the secondstraight season.
Reagins took more than for Bill Stoneman soon after the 2007 season. The Angels wonthe AL West in his very first two seasons, losing to Boston in the 2008 divisionseries and the New York Yankees in the 2009 AL championship series.
In spite of starting this season with baseball’s fourth-highest payroll at $139million, Los Angeles went 86-76 and finished 10 games behind Texas in the ALWest and 5 behind Tampa Bay in the wild-card race.
The Angels said Reagins will stay with the team as a unique assistant tochairman Dennis Kuhl.
Francona out as Red Sox manager
September 30, 2011
BOSTON (AP)—The Terry Francona era is more than in Boston.
In a joint statement released on Friday, the Red Sox announced they will notpick up the selection on Francona’s contract in the wake of the team’s Septembercollapse.
Owners John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino acknowledged a adjust wasneeded, and thanked Francona, who led the franchise to two world titles. But thestatement also mentioned that Francona was also prepared to head in a differentdirection.
“Tito said that immediately after eight years here he was frustrated by his difficultymaking an impact with the players, that a different voice was necessary, and thatit was time for him to move on,” the statement said. “After taking time toreflect on Tito’s sentiments, we agreed that it was ideal for the Red Sox not toexercise the solution years on his contract.”
The press release ended a whirlwind day at Fenway Park that saw all of theprinciple parties shuttle in and out of the facility numerous times. Francona wasin the building 3 different times.
Boston missed the playoffs regardless of leading the AL wild-card race by ninegames on Sept. four. It went 6-18 right after that, ending with a four-3 loss Wednesday inBaltimore. The Red Sox did not win consecutive games all month.
“We have enormous respect, admiration and appreciation for Tito and the jobthat he did for eight years, which includes two World Series championship seasons andfive playoff appearances,” the statement read. “His poise through the 2004postseason was a crucial factor in the greatest comeback in baseball history, andhis place in Red Sox history will in no way be forgotten.
“We wish him only the very best going forward.”
Common manager Theo Epstein released a statement earlier in the day, sayingthe club had not but produced a choice on Francona’s future. But he later revisedhis thoughts.
“Nobody at the Red Sox blames Tito for what happened at the end of thisseason we own that as an organization. This year was surely a tough anddraining one for him and for us,” Epstein said. “Ultimately, he decided thatthere had been particular things that necessary to be completed that he couldn’t do soon after eightyears here, and that this team would benefit from hearing a new voice.
“While this may well be true, his next team will benefit much more than it knows fromhearing Tito’s voice. I will miss seeing Tito each and every day in the manager’s office,and I wish him and his family members absolutely nothing but the best in their subsequent chapter.”
The Red Sox failed to make the postseason in Francona’s final two seasons.
“We met this morning to appear back on the 2011 season and to think about thefuture of the Boston Red Sox, including my involvement with the club. I passedalong my frustrations at my inability to successfully reach the players. Aftermany conversations and much consideration, I ultimately felt that, out ofrespect to this team, it was time for me to move on,” Francona said.
“I’ve usually maintained that it is not only the suitable, but the obligation,of ownership to have the right person doing this job. I told them that out of myenormous respect for this organization and the folks in it, they may want tofind a diverse voice to lead the team.”
The choice came as both of the American League Division Series were set tobegin. So, obviously, the Red Sox were a hot pregame subject in Texas and NewYork.
“I know how properly liked he is by his players and that city and in baseballin common. He’s a excellent guy he’s not just a very good guy,” Tampa Bay manager JoeMaddon stated. “It’s not straightforward.”
Maddon’s Rays, and Joe Girardi’s Yankees each produced the postseason out of thesame division as Boston.
“These jobs are precious, there’s no doubt about it. There’s expectations.A lot of times they’re really high expectations when you’re in certaintowns,” Girardi said. “We fully grasp that when we take the job. Highexpectations are better than no expectations. You do delight in it and you take pleasure in yourtime when you’re there.
“Tito has completed a wonderful job there.”
The Red Sox went 744-552 under Francona, and 8- in World Series games underhim, sweeping the Cardinals and Rockies. He became the first manager to win hisfirst six Globe Series games.
Racing back to Kentucky after traffic nightmares
September 30, 2011
SPARTA, Ky. (AP)—It would be fair to call the inaugural Sprint Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway a debacle.
That description makes common manager Mark Simendinger wince.
But he doesn’t deny there’s small room to soften just how poor factors were on July 9.
“The fact is, we blew it,” Simendinger said Friday.
Right after waiting 10 years to land a coveted Sprint Cup race, the entire region eagerly anticipated what was supposed to be a spectacular Saturday night debut at a facility new track owner Bruton Smith spent millions on to make it a worthy host to 1 of NASCAR’s premier events.
But as the 107,000-plus fans approached speedway property, officials swiftly realized there wasn’t sufficient parking and the access roads couldn’t adequately manage the crush. The result was a visitors jam that stretched for miles and lasted so long, a lot of fans by no means even made it to the speedway.
Speedway Motorsports Inc., the organization that owns the track, went to perform in the days right after the race to fix the issues and Kentucky Speedway gets its first chance to redeem itself given that this weekend. NASCAR’s Trucks Series races Saturday night at the speedway, and the IndyCar Series runs Sunday.
The crowds will be a fraction of what descended on the speedway in July, and temperatures expected to hover in the 50s all weekend will most likely discourage substantially of a walk-up crowd. But Simendinger and his Kentucky staff are determined to prove at every single likelihood feasible that there will in no way be a repeat of what occurred two 1/2 months ago.
“We had a bunch of disaffected and disappointed customers, and that’s a main, major difficulty,” Simendinger said. “There are a lot of techniques to fix that, but the reality is the only remedy that would satisfy many men and women is if I could go back and get them out of visitors. I can’t do that, so the job now is to convince people to come back and to trust us that we can deal with the kind of crowds this location is built for.
“I want everybody to come back and see that we are creating it much better.”
Two days after the traffic jam, SMI provided a ticket exchange to anybody who missed the Cup race. The unused Kentucky tickets could be utilised for entry into any events at SMI tracks this season, or swapped for entry into the 2012 race at Kentucky.
That was just the beginning, though, as the genuine function started in earnest behind the scenes. Smith and his SMI group had to negotiate with state and nearby officials for road improvements, though Simendinger had to locate remedies in and about the speedway.
Within six weeks, an estimated $11 million in improvements were announced.
SMI began by acquiring a 143-acre parcel of land surrounding the speedway that will be converted into parking for additional than 10,000 automobiles. The firm also pledged to convert all grass-covered lots to gravel, and painting guidelines to maximize the spaces. Simendinger said the speedway has replaced the parking organization it applied with a new contractor that has encounter at NASCAR tracks Daytona, Pocono and Watkins Glen.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet promised its own $three.6 million worth of enhancements to avoid a different disastrous situation.
The exit ramp off of Interstate 71 that feeds into the speedway will be widened to three lanes, and the road outside the speedway will be widened to 5 lanes—plus two shoulders—to give it seven full lanes on race day. The state will also pay for an underground pedestrian tunnel beneath Highway 35 to transport fans from the new parking lot to the speedway gates.
SMI president Marcus Smith said the company was “overkilling it” to prove to fans Kentucky will be what quite a few had expected for their inaugural race.
“This weekend is certainly our opportunity to roll out a red carpet and show people that Kentucky is a great facility,” Smith said. “But we know most of that actually comes subsequent year when we prove that a Cup event at Kentucky can be productive. The people today who came to the inaugural race will see the improvements, tremendous improvements, and see that we can do this appropriate.”
Braves reverse course, axe hitting coach
September 30, 2011
ATLANTA (AP)—The Atlanta Braves are shaking things up immediately after a Septemberflop price them a second straight trip to the playoffs.
The initially adjust came Friday: hitting coach Larry Parrish was fired afteronly one season. The timing of the announcement was a surprise, coming 1 dayafter manager Fredi Gonzalez stated his whole staff would return in 2012.
As it turns out, everybody is returning but Parrish, who was dumped eventhough he had yet another season left on his two-year contract. Many hittersregressed noticeably below his tutelage, and the Braves finished 13th in the NLin batting (.243) and 10th in runs.
Braves common manager Frank Wren also stated it’s not certain that Derek Lowe(notes)will have a spot in the rotation subsequent season, even though the team still oweshim $15 million on the final year of his contract.
The 38-year-old appropriate-hander had a miserable season, going 9-17 with a five.05ERA.
On a equivalent note, Wren said right fielder Jason Heyward(notes) will have to fightto keep his job in spring training immediately after hitting just .227 with 14 homers and 42RBIs.
The firing of Parrish wasn’t necessarily unexpected, but the way it washandled reflected an apparent breakdown in communication among Gonzalez andWren.
The general manager stated “we couldn’t go forward with 2012 withoutchanges,” which includes a new hitting coach. Wren promised “an exhaustive search”for Parrish’s replacement.
“I felt we weren’t on the similar page philosophically,” Wren said. “I’m notsure the message got by way of to the players.”
The Braves’ lack of offense was a big issue all year, and actually came tothe forefront in September as the Braves squandered an 8 1/2 -game lead. Atlantaaveraged just more than 3 runs a game and hit under .200 with runners in scoringposition more than the final month.
A lot more troubling, numerous players dropped off considerably from the previousseason, such as 2010 All-Stars Heyward and Martin Prado(notes) (from .307 to .260).
Heyward homered in his 1st career at-bat and finished second in the NLRookie of the Year balloting as a 21-year-old, hitting .277 with 18 homers and a.393 on-base percentage. His on-base percentage plunged to .319 this season, andhe struggled to make adjustments the Braves feel are crucial to his long-termsuccess.
Now, instead of becoming the future of the franchise, he’s not even guaranteeda beginning job next season.
“He’s going to be in a battle. It’s not a given he’s our right fielder,”Wren stated. “He’s a young guy with a lot of potential. General managers saypotential is excellent, but we need production.”
Wren, nonetheless, did tension that there’s been no discussions about tradingHeyward.
Lowe will be in a equivalent position next spring. The Braves have an abundanceof talented young pitchers and won’t show nearly as considerably patience as they didthis year, when Lowe created every scheduled start even though he never ever sorted outa breakdown in mechanics. He lost all 5 of his September begins, a majorculprit in the Braves giving away a seemingly comfortable lead in the wild-cardrace.
“It’s difficult to project him as 1 of our starters at this point,” Wrensaid.
The Braves had held at least a share of the wild-card lead given that June 9until falling behind on the final day of the season with a 13-inning loss toPhiladelphia, according to STATS LLC. Atlanta went 9-18 in September andfinished 1 game behind St. Louis.
Related Press freelance writer Amy Jinkner-Lloyd contributed to thisreport.
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Bailey, Dumervil questionable vs. Pack
September 30, 2011
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP)—Tweaked hamstring and all, Broncos cornerback ChampBailey(notes) jumped a route Friday in practice and picked off a pass with 1 hand.
Granted, this was just a drill performed at half speed, with a fellowdefensive back operating the pattern and an assistant coach throwing the football.
To Bailey, that’s at least a step in the suitable direction.
His left hamstring has held up just fine on a restricted basis in practice allweek. But suiting up against Aaron Rodgers(notes) and the high-octane Green Bay offenseis an entirely various scenario.
Bailey and pass-rush specialist Elvis Dumervil(notes) (shoulder and calf) arequestionable for Sunday. To slow down Rodgers—if that’s even achievable thesedays—and a Green Bay offense averaging 33 points, Bailey and Dumervil wouldcertainly come in handy.
“We’ve got our hands full,” said Bailey, who’s missed the last two games.“We’ve got to be on our game for this.”
Bailey won’t make any decisions on his playing status until Sunday morning,when he puts the hamstring through a strenuous test.
If Bailey is less than 100 percent, he realizes he will be picked on—evenwith his impressive resume.
“I know they need me out there, and I want to be out there,” Bailey stated.“But I’m not specifically where I want to be.”
Dumervil’s chomping to begin chasing quarterbacks once again. He’s playedsparingly this season soon after aggravating his shoulder in the season opener. Andnew on the injury report as of Friday was a calf ailment.
All this after sitting out last season with a chest injury.
It won’t be effortless getting to Rodgers, not with the offensive line he has infront of him. Rodgers has been sacked five times this season.
Given time to operate, Rodgers has picked apart defenses, throwing eight TDpasses and just one interception.
“That guy is one of the very best quarterbacks in the league,” linebacker JoeMays(notes) said. “He makes it occur over there. He gets their offense going. …They make use of every little thing they have.”
Specifically now, with the emergence of Jermichael Finley(notes). The 6-foot-5,247-pound tight finish caught 3 touchdown passes in a win more than the ChicagoBears.
Provided he’s healthy, Bailey could incredibly nicely locate himself shadowing Finleywhen the Broncos are in their nickel package. That despite giving up additional than50 pounds.
“I want to cover anybody,” Bailey stated. “Whoever is the No. 1 threat,that’s who I want to get.”
That’s the thing with the Packers: They spread the ball around soefficiently. They have seven players with at least 5 grabs. Greg Jennings(notes)leads the way with 18.
“They’re just overall very good,” Dumervil stated. “They play properly together,well-coached. They’ve got very good approach, and they don’t actually make errors.”
The Broncos could get a enhance at linebacker with D.J. Williams (elbow)being probable for the game. Williams dressed in the loss to Tennessee lastweekend but didn’t play.
Williams is a versatile linebacker who can play any linebacker spot.
“I believe his athleticism matches up against (Green Bay),” defensivecoordinator Dennis Allen said.
The Broncos are nonetheless searching for their 1st interception of the season.Not that Allen is all that concerned, specifically thinking about the Broncos havebeen without having their very best pass rusher and cover corner for the last two games.
“Those issues come, and they come in bunches,” Allen said. “I’ve beenaround it lengthy adequate to know that you get one, and the next thing you know,you’ve got three or 4 and then nobody’s talking about how you don’t have anyinterceptions. So, I don’t be concerned about that.”
The Broncos took a lighthearted approach to the begin of practice on asun-drenched day at the office Friday.
Wide receiver Eric Decker(notes) exchanged jerseys with tailback Knowshon Moreno(notes)—a tight fit for Decker—while offensive linemen ran passing routes with guardsZane Beadles(notes) and Russ Hochstein(notes) throwing spirals.
“We just had a small enjoyable,” Decker said. “We mixed it up a small bit.”
Notes: Broncos WR Eddie Royal(notes) (groin), TE Julius Thomas(notes) (ankle) and WRDemaryius Thomas(notes) (finger) are all out for the Green Bay game. … DT MarcusThomas (groin) is listed as questionable though Moreno (hamstring) is probable.… Broncos K Matt Prater(notes) has touchbacks on all 13 of his kickoffs this season.