England’s Robert Rock and American Matt Every lead the way in both the Joburg Open and the PGA Tour’s Sony Open.
Reigning Italian Open champion Rock fired a second round 66 to be joined by fellow Englishman Richard Finch (67) along with South African George Coetzee (67) in the weather affected event in the South African capital.
The trio are at 11-under par with double U.S. Open champion, Retief Goosen (67) among three players on 10-under par but with the likelihood of the event being reduced to 54 holes if there any further stoppages.
Ireland’s Damien McGrane, who burst from the block with an opening and career best 63, stalled on day two with a level par 71 but remains wll places on nine under par.
In Hawaii Ready is two shots clear of the field in carding a second round 64.
Canadian Matt Every leads by two heading to the final two rounds of the Sony Open.
It’s a position he’s never been in before on the PGA Tour.
“Just normal stuff,” said Every on PGA Tour.com
Well, not exactly that normal. In 29 previous PGA Tour starts, Every has one top-10 finish, a tie for eighth two years ago at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
But what Every meant is that his game felt normal. He avoided mistakes (it was a bogey-free day), rolled in a few putts (three from outside 20 feet) and struck his irons crisply (12 of 18 greens in regulation).
Having played 20 events on the Nationwide Tour last year and finishing 18th on the money list with four top-10 finishes, the University of Florida grad simply feels like this week’s start at the Sony Open is a carryover from last year.
“I’m not saying like I’m going to be on top of the leaderboard every week,” Every said, “but it’s not a surprise to me. I know that I can, you know?
“It’s only two rounds, though, so it’s not that big of a deal.”
Ever closed with three straight birdies, giving him a two-shot lead over Sweden’s Carl Pettersson (67) and Davi Hearn, who kept the Canadian presence on the leaderboard with his second straight 66.
Meantime –
Former U.S. Naval officer, Billy Hurley 111 made the cut in his first event as a full PGA Tour member.
www.golfbytourmiss.com featured Hurley’s story as a preview to the event and Hurley rebounded from a 17th hole double bogey to birdie his last hole in a round of 71 and make the cut by one stroke.
