Kelly retains Colorado lead with Jimenez and other Senior Stars in pursuit
A chip-in on the 18th hole on Friday, his ninth, was one of several highlights during Jerry Kelly's 1-under 69. (USGA/Steven Gibbons)
Jerry Kelly followed up an opening round of 66 with a 1-under-par 69 on Friday to retain the lead after 36 holes of the 39th U.S. Senior Open Championship at The Broadmoor, Colorado.
Kelly’s two-stroke lead from Thursday was whittled by one as Miguel Angel Jimenez, who played alongside Kelly the first two days, added a second straight 2-under 68. The Spaniard, who finished second in this championship in 2016, hit 17 of 18 greens in a bogey-free round on Friday.
Kelly actually fell into a tie for the lead with Jimenez at 3 under after he bogeyed the par-4 17th hole, but he chipped in for birdie on No. 18, the group’s ninth hole.
“I made a tough bogey on No. 17, and then I was in the middle of the fairway on 18, with an easy 8-iron in and I pushed it to the right,” said Kelly, 51, a native of Madison, Wis. “That bothered me going back-to-back, so I knew I had to pull something out. And the chip came out just perfect and rolled right in and that got things going again.”
Kelly retained the advantage the rest of the way, with Jimenez’s second birdie of the day – on the par-5 ninth, which played as the easiest hole for the day – putting him within one stroke entering Round 3.
“I’m happy with my game,” said Jimenez, 54, who hit only nine greens in Round 1 but fashioned an identical score. “I played very solid, and the only thing I hope for the weekend is to hit the ball that way and hole some more putts.”
Tim Petrovic, who played college golf with Kelly at the University of Hartford, shot the low round for the championship, a 5-under 65, to finish 36 holes alone in third place at 3-under 137. Petrovic, 51 and playing in his first U.S. Senior Open, made the turn at 3 over for the championship, but reeled off six birdies in his final eight holes.
Another two strokes back are five players at 1-under 139, including Davis Love III, who is making his debut in this championship at age 54. The 1997 PGA champion is joined by Jay Haas, who chipped in for eagle on his final hole; Paul Goydos, who had a birdie-eagle-birdie run midway through his incoming nine highlighted by a 127-yard hole-out on the par-4 14th; Philip Golding, of England, who carded a morning 67; and Deane Pappas, of South Africa.
Kirk Triplett, the runner-up to Kenny Perry in 2017, is alone in ninth place at even par, rebounding with a Friday 66 after an opening-round 74. Two-time champion Perry slipped to a 4-over 74 in Round 2 and is tied for 32nd through 36 holes at 5-over 145.
Philip Golding is the leading British player in T4 position on 139 with scores of 72 and 67.
Paul Broadhurst is T10 on 141 (71-70).
Colin Montgomerie is T20 on 144 (71-73)
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
Kelly actually fell into a tie for the lead with Jimenez at 3 under after he bogeyed the par-4 17th hole, but he chipped in for birdie on No. 18, the group’s ninth hole.
“I made a tough bogey on No. 17, and then I was in the middle of the fairway on 18, with an easy 8-iron in and I pushed it to the right,” said Kelly, 51, a native of Madison, Wis. “That bothered me going back-to-back, so I knew I had to pull something out. And the chip came out just perfect and rolled right in and that got things going again.”
Kelly retained the advantage the rest of the way, with Jimenez’s second birdie of the day – on the par-5 ninth, which played as the easiest hole for the day – putting him within one stroke entering Round 3.
“I’m happy with my game,” said Jimenez, 54, who hit only nine greens in Round 1 but fashioned an identical score. “I played very solid, and the only thing I hope for the weekend is to hit the ball that way and hole some more putts.”
Tim Petrovic, who played college golf with Kelly at the University of Hartford, shot the low round for the championship, a 5-under 65, to finish 36 holes alone in third place at 3-under 137. Petrovic, 51 and playing in his first U.S. Senior Open, made the turn at 3 over for the championship, but reeled off six birdies in his final eight holes.
Another two strokes back are five players at 1-under 139, including Davis Love III, who is making his debut in this championship at age 54. The 1997 PGA champion is joined by Jay Haas, who chipped in for eagle on his final hole; Paul Goydos, who had a birdie-eagle-birdie run midway through his incoming nine highlighted by a 127-yard hole-out on the par-4 14th; Philip Golding, of England, who carded a morning 67; and Deane Pappas, of South Africa.
Kirk Triplett, the runner-up to Kenny Perry in 2017, is alone in ninth place at even par, rebounding with a Friday 66 after an opening-round 74. Two-time champion Perry slipped to a 4-over 74 in Round 2 and is tied for 32nd through 36 holes at 5-over 145.
Philip Golding is the leading British player in T4 position on 139 with scores of 72 and 67.
Paul Broadhurst is T10 on 141 (71-70).
Colin Montgomerie is T20 on 144 (71-73)
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
Labels: Pro seniors
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Saturday, June 30, 2018
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