One of the co-leaders finished second last year. He finished second two years ago. He won three years ago, in his debut. He’s so successful in Vegas that if TPC Summerlin were a casino, he wouldn’t be allowed to play. Here are three things you need to know after the second round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
Patrick Cantlay shares the lead
Patrick Cantlay, the winner here three years ago and runner-up the past two, is among a five-way tie at the top after two rounds this year.
Cantlay bogeyed the 11th hole, his second after starting on the back nine, then played the final 16 at 7-under for a 6-under 65 round, a 14-under total and a share of a one-stroke lead with Martin Laird, Brian Harman, Austin Cook and Peter Malnati. Bryson DeChambeau, the first-round leader, was at 13-under.
“Every time I come here, I feel like I have a chance to win,” Cantlay said. “It doesn’t surprise me because I really like the golf course, but obviously I have to execute. I have so far, so I’m looking forward to the weekend.”
Bryson DeChambeau is one shot back
DeChambeau, who won the U.S. Open last month, was 1-under through 14 holes. He played the final four at 3-under.
On the 284-yard, par-4 15th, DeChambeau drove it to the right greenside bunker, then got up and down for a birdie 3. On the next hole, the 532-yard, par-5 16th, DeChambeau drove it 367 yards, hit his approach to within about 10 feet from 149 yards away, then rolled in the eagle putt. He finished with a 4-under 67.
“Look, you know, any time you’re near the lead in a PGA Tour event, I’m excited,” DeChambeau said. “There is no doubt about it. I definitely left some shots out there as I made a few great shots.
“So can’t be too displeased with that, and look forward to hitting a couple more shots better and making a few putts that I need to that I didn’t middle of the round. Clean that up tomorrow and hopefully I can keep going low.”
Among the players two shots back of the lead is Sergio Garcia, among the players three shots back is Harold Varner III, and among the players four shots back is Kevin Na, last year’s champion.
Collin Morikawa misses the cut
Among the players to miss the cut, at 7-under, were Collin Morikawa, the PGA Championship winner, and Rickie Fowler, who followed a first-round 67 with a second-round 74.
In all, 131 of the 144 players in the field were at even par or better.
