NATIONWIDE TOUR REPORT

Blake Adams goes four shots clear

in Boise Open with a 65

FROM THE PGA.COM WEBSITE
Boise, Idaho -- It wasn't a question of if Blake Adams would hold the second-round lead at the Albertsons Boise Open but by how much. Adams posted a bogey-free, 6-under 65 on day two and bolted to a four-stroke lead at the halfway point of the $725,000 event.
Adams has opened a gap on one of the strongest fields in Tour history by doing what every golfer wants to do -- hit it far and make a bunch of putts. Adams ranks No. 1 on the Tour in average driving distance (312.9 yards) and No. 6 in putting average and the first two trips around the Hillcrest Country Club proved to be more of the same for the 34-year old Georgian.
After rolling in an eight-foot birdie putt on his final hole to reach 14-under 128 and tie the tournament's 36-hole record, Adams had no idea where he stood in relation to everyone else.
"I didn't look at it (leaderboard) all day. I don't ever look," said Adams, who was then informed by the local media that he was ahead by a few. "It's a lot better than being down by eight. It really doesn't matter. We're only halfway home."
Josh Teater, winner of last week's Utah Championship, and PGA TOUR rookie Leif Olson share second place at 10-under 132.
Daniel Summerhays, Fran Quinn and Florida State rookie Jonas Blixt are at 9-under 133 and five back of Adams, who has reached No. 4 on the money list by doing everything but win a tournament. Adams has seven top-10s this year, including a second, two thirds and a fourth place but is still in search of his first career title.
"I've put myself in a lot of good spots this year and I feel like I've played just as good on Sunday as I have on Thursday or Friday," he said. "For whatever reason, it hasn't been my time. In all honesty, on Sundays I've had a little too far to climb."
The big-hitting Adams held a one-stroke lead after an opening 63 Thursday and gradually distanced himself from any challengers by bashing tee shots and hitting his irons close. Five of his six birdie putts were inside of eight feet, one of them coming after he missed a 15-foot eagle putt at the 535-yard, 16th hole where he had an easy 8-iron into the green.
"That's a big advantage and I know that," said Adams of his booming tee shots. "I don't think you can overpower this golf course. I'm just driving it well and I'm making putts. It's golf. If you think you've got it whipped, it'll whip you. I feel like I'm making the putts I should make. I would definitely like to make more 20, 30 and 40-footers. I don't make a lot of those."
Teater, a Kentucky native, is riding his own personal hot streak. His victory outside Salt Lake City last week vaulted him to No. 8 on the money list and assured him a spot on the PGA TOUR next year as a member of "THE 25" top money winners in 2009.
"At any point in this game, it comes in cycles," said Teater. "I'm rolling the putter real well. It's been far from flawless out there with my ball-striking but the putter has saved me."
It saved him in enough situations that all he could do was chuckle about the putts he's been making this week, the same ones that Adams covets. During the second round alone he rolled in a 35-foot eagle putt, a 35-foot birdie putt and a couple of birdie putts from the 20-foot range.
"I made a few putts out there that I had to laugh at," said Teater, who has needed only 52 putts thus far. "I feel like I have a chance to make every one I look at. I don't know how long it's going to last but I'm going to try and ride it out. When it's going good, it's going good."
Second-Round Notes:
* Fabian Gomez aced the par-3, 13th hole. Gomez used a 7-iron for his hole-in-one at the 204-yard hole. It was the 15th ace in the tournament's 20-year history.
* A total of 62 players made the 36-hole cut, which came at 3-under 139.
* Oklahoma State's Rickie Fowler (73-71?144) missed the cut in his professional debut. Fowler had an eagle, three birdies and five bogeys in his even-par round Friday.
"It wasn't exactly like I want it to play out but it was fun," said Fowler, who got off to a par-birdie-eagle start. "I was hoping to get something going today. I gave myself some looks but I struggled with the putter, with the speed and getting the ball on line. Overall, I played pretty well this week."
Fowler three-putted twice in the second round and finished with 36 total putts for the day.
"I don't know if it will ever hit me-hit me that now I'm a professional. If I can play well and make a check, that'll be nice to be rewarded for good play. I'm not worried about the money and stuff like that. I just want to come out and play as well as I can. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way this week."
Fowler has received a sponsor exemption for the $1M Soboba Classic in San Jacinto, Calif. in two weeks.
* Sam Saunders, grandson of Arnold Palmer, also made his Tour debut this week and also missed the cut. Saunders had scores of 71-71?142 but hit only 6 of 14 during both the first and the second rounds.
"Overall, I hit the ball well. Unfortunately I just missed too many fairways. I think it was a little bit of nerves probably. I think any player you ask out here is nervous on the first tee. It doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter if you've won 10 times or it's your first tournament, you're nervous on the first tee. I learned I can play out here. I think I can hit the shots and I'm a good enough putter. I think I can play out here. I just need to tighten a few things up and hit a few more fairways. I learned that my game is getting close to where it needs to be."
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 142 (2x71)
128 B Adams 63 65
132 J Teater 67 65, L Olson 69 63.
133 D Summerhays 67 66, F Quinn 68 65, J Blixt 69 64.
MISSED THE CUT (139 or better)
Selected scores:
145 G Christian (Eng) 74 71.
146 M Richardson (Eng) 76 70.