DORAL, Florida– A few observations following the second round of
the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, with Adam Scott in
front of Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson by two.
For more on all the action, click here to read the Daily Wrap-Up.
1. SCOTT SEEKS ANOTHER GEAR: No golfer in the last 16 days has played better than Adam Scott. Two weeks ago, he tied for second at the Northern Trust Open. Then he won The Honda Classic last week. Now – despite little to no practice this week -- he leads through two rounds at Trump National Doral.
With three birdies in his last four holes Friday, he’ll enter this weekend with significant momentum and confidence.
But that might not be good enough.
His three closest pursuers all rank inside the top 15 in the world. No. 8 Dustin Johnson had the low round of the day, firing an 8-under 64 to share second with No. 3 Rory McIlroy, who had the second lowest round with a 65. No. 15 Danny Willett is in solo fourth after his 69.
It’s a pretty impressive leaderboard, especially if you throw in No. 4 Bubba Watson (tied for fifth) and No. 21 Phil Mickelson (tied for seventh).
“I’d like to find a little extra gear this weekend,” said Scott, currently No. 9 in the world. “I think I’ll probably need it to win with the quality of leaderboard we’ve got. That will be the test for me.”
Johnson, who was paired with Scott for the first two rounds, knows that catching a guy who’s red-hot will be difficult. But after grinding out an even-par 72 in the opening round, Johnson – who won here last year -- is encouraged how he bounced back on Friday.
“To go out today and turn it around just feels good,” Johnson said. “I’m right back in the golf tournament.”
For more on all the action, click here to read the Daily Wrap-Up.
1. SCOTT SEEKS ANOTHER GEAR: No golfer in the last 16 days has played better than Adam Scott. Two weeks ago, he tied for second at the Northern Trust Open. Then he won The Honda Classic last week. Now – despite little to no practice this week -- he leads through two rounds at Trump National Doral.
With three birdies in his last four holes Friday, he’ll enter this weekend with significant momentum and confidence.
But that might not be good enough.
His three closest pursuers all rank inside the top 15 in the world. No. 8 Dustin Johnson had the low round of the day, firing an 8-under 64 to share second with No. 3 Rory McIlroy, who had the second lowest round with a 65. No. 15 Danny Willett is in solo fourth after his 69.
It’s a pretty impressive leaderboard, especially if you throw in No. 4 Bubba Watson (tied for fifth) and No. 21 Phil Mickelson (tied for seventh).
“I’d like to find a little extra gear this weekend,” said Scott, currently No. 9 in the world. “I think I’ll probably need it to win with the quality of leaderboard we’ve got. That will be the test for me.”
Johnson, who was paired with Scott for the first two rounds, knows that catching a guy who’s red-hot will be difficult. But after grinding out an even-par 72 in the opening round, Johnson – who won here last year -- is encouraged how he bounced back on Friday.
“To go out today and turn it around just feels good,” Johnson said. “I’m right back in the golf tournament.”
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Round Recaps
Adam Scott pulls ahead by two at the Cadillac Championship
2. PHIL’S BACK-NINE MELTDOWN: When Mickelson
made the turn Friday, he held a two-shot lead, thanks to a stretch of
four consecutive birdies. But then he lost his focus.
He three-putted the par-3 13th, missing a 4-footer for par. He “hit a terrible” wedge shot at the par-3 15th that found the water, then compounded the issue with a poor up-and-down attempt that led to double bogey. He then found a fairway bunker at the par-4 17th and had no chance at the green. Another bogey.
As a result, he went from two ahead to five down.
“I don’t know what happened,” he said. “I kind of lost focus on the back nine.”
He three-putted the par-3 13th, missing a 4-footer for par. He “hit a terrible” wedge shot at the par-3 15th that found the water, then compounded the issue with a poor up-and-down attempt that led to double bogey. He then found a fairway bunker at the par-4 17th and had no chance at the green. Another bogey.
As a result, he went from two ahead to five down.
“I don’t know what happened,” he said. “I kind of lost focus on the back nine.”
Mickelson’s confidence in his swing remains high, though, calling
this the “easiest” he’s ever driven the ball and noting that his game
has become more instinctive and less mechanical.
“When I’m playing well, golf is an instinctive sport,” Mickelson said. “I look. I see the shot I want to hit. I feel the shot I want to hit, and then I just execute. Somewhere, I lost one of those on the back nine today. But it will be back this weekend.”
“When I’m playing well, golf is an instinctive sport,” Mickelson said. “I look. I see the shot I want to hit. I feel the shot I want to hit, and then I just execute. Somewhere, I lost one of those on the back nine today. But it will be back this weekend.”
3: TOP TWO ARE DOWN: Jordan Spieth and Jason Day each has significant ground to make up this weekend.
Spieth is at 3 under after an even-par 72. He was not happy with his short putting on the back nine Friday, as he missed a 5-footer on the 11th hole for par and a 4-footer for par on the 18th.
After leaving the scorer’s area, he made a beeline to the practice green in hopes of ironing out the issues.
Day, meanwhile, has yet to break par this week. He opened with a 72, then shot a 74 on Friday, suffering four bogeys in his last 11 holes. That leaves him 12 shots off the pace.
Day could supplant Spieth as World No. 1 if he rallies to win and Spieth finishes worse than 11th.
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
Spieth is at 3 under after an even-par 72. He was not happy with his short putting on the back nine Friday, as he missed a 5-footer on the 11th hole for par and a 4-footer for par on the 18th.
After leaving the scorer’s area, he made a beeline to the practice green in hopes of ironing out the issues.
Day, meanwhile, has yet to break par this week. He opened with a 72, then shot a 74 on Friday, suffering four bogeys in his last 11 holes. That leaves him 12 shots off the pace.
Day could supplant Spieth as World No. 1 if he rallies to win and Spieth finishes worse than 11th.
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
Labels: US PGA TOUR
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Saturday, March 05, 2016
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