They’ve played nearly 36 holes at the World Wide Technology Championship. (The second round was postponed due to darkness.) More than 36 more are coming at the El Cardonal at Diamante course in Los Cabos, Mexico. Who’s leading? Who’s close? Who’s not? All good questions.
Here are eight takeaways after day two.
1. Who’s leading?
Camilo Villegas, after a second-straight round of eight-under 64.
Notably, Friday’s 64 could have been better — Villegas bogeyed two holes. In all, he birdied eight holes and eagled his first, the 582-yard, par-5 1st.
2. Is that significant?
Yes. Villegas, who hasn’t won since the 2014 Wyndham, is playing under past-champion status this year, and his starts have been limited — he’s played in just 10 events. So a win would be welcomed.
He’s also one of the good dudes on Tour. For a feel of that, here’s Villegas on Thursday, talking about a potential victory — and with it, a potentially bigger schedule next year.
“It’s huge. Obviously it’s huge, especially next year where we’ve got all those elevated events and who knows what the fields are going to be. But hey, I’m not worried about that. I’ve been out here for a long time. Yes, I want to be out here for many more years, but things don’t change, man. Wake up every morning to the same things and play good, get better, and you just got to let the rest take care of business.”
3. Who’s in contention?
There’s two ways to look at this.
The contending line is usually five strokes back, so if we’re going with that, then 14 players have a shot. Notably, Matt Kuchar is two back, and Stephan Jaeger and Justin Suh are three back.
But …
A 62 at El Cardonal is out there. Or better. If you’ve made the cut, you’re in the hunt.
Speaking of the cut …
4. Who’s not in contention?
Notables Sahith Theegala, Harry Higgs and Stewart Cink are likely done.
Also likely missing the cut will be 17-year-old Billy Davis, who shot two respectable rounds of one-under 71; and PGA Championship hero Michael Block, who shot rounds of 72 and 76 and is currently tied for last in the 132-player field.
5. What was the highlight of the day?
This was good:
As was this:
6. What was the stat of the day?
This is wild.
The field — the field! — is hitting fairways at a 90.36 percent rate at El Cardonal, designed by Tiger Woods. Eight players are a perfect 28 of 28. Twenty-four players are 27 for 28. The worst player has hit 20 of 28.
For comparison, entering the week, the Tour average for fairways hit is 58.07 percent. The Tour’s most accurate player off the tee, Russell Henley, is at 71.74 percent.
7. What was the quote of the day?
“It’s got to be in the water, right? Mexican water.” — Kuchar, after his second-straight 65 and a string of good play in Mexico.
8. Why should you watch tomorrow?
Fireworks. Anyone can win it. Many of them could use a victory, too.
Golf Channel coverage starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
