Dornoch’s Jimmy Gunn took full advantage of the windy conditions to open up a four shot lead with some 28 holes to play in the weather-affected Bahamas Great Abaco Classic.
The second Web.Com event of the New Year began on Sunday but the poor weather has seen only two full rounds played and with Tour organisers hoping the weather that has now plagued both Bahamas events will allow the remainder of round three and then round four to be played Wednesday.
Jimmy Gunn gunning for his maiden Web-Com tour victory. (Photo – Jimmy Gunn)
Gunn, 36 grabbed seven birdies in his second round of a six under par 66 for a 10-under par tally and just after lunch today (Tues) Bahamas time.
He said: “The key to my round was being out early in the morning before the wind really picked up again.
“But then having grown-up in Dornoch I am pretty used to these conditions.”
Sunday’s opening-round play had been suspended due to darkness, with nearly a quarter of the field still on the golf course. On Monday morning, heavy winds in excess of 40 mph paired with strong rain to cause a five-hour delay to the resumption of play, which was delayed from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Play on Monday lasted until 5:52 p.m., when tournament officials suspended the day due to darkness yet again.
After taking a short luncheon break Gunn was soon headed into his third round at 3.30pm local time but not expecting to complete the round.
In fact, Gunn ended the day as darkness descended having move to 13-under par through eight holes after birdies at three, five and the eighth hole to muscle his way to a superb four shots clear of his nearest rival.
Gunn played the Web.com Tour full-time in 2014 and 2016, recording 43 total starts and two top-10 finishes – including a career-best T6 effort at last year’s Servientrega Championship presented by Efecty. His lone PGA TOUR start came at the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, where a brief appearance on the front page of Thursday’s leader board gave way to a T27 finish.
Gunn has employed a new caddie after good friend Brock Mackenzie was forced to withdraw from the week due to injury. With Tim Atsiedes on the bag, Gunn has kept an aggressive-yet-upbeat attitude that has paid nothing but dividends with 28 holes to go.
“I’m good friends with Brock, so I texted him to make sure he’s okay and everything. I said, ‘If this guy has made plans to come here and has already spent the money, I’ll use him so he’s not stuck here trying to find somebody.’ He’s been great. He’s a good caddie, he knows exactly what he’s doing and I’m lucky to have him.”
