Golf-Perry stays two ahead at wet River Highlands (Reuters)
June 26, 2009
* Perry maintains control before play is suspended
* Moore fires a six-birdie 65
* Spanish world number four Garcia on the cut line (Updates at close of play)
NEW YORK, June 26 (Reuters) – American Kenny Perrymaintained his two-shot lead in Friday’s weather-hit secondround of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticutdespite struggling with the pace of the greens.
The PGA Tour veteran, two ahead overnight after opening witha sparkling 61, parred his last 10 holes at the TPC RiverHighlands to card a two-under 68.
That left Perry at 11-under 129, with compatriot Ryan Moorealone in second after a six-birdie 65.
Americans Colt Knost (66) and PGA Tour rookie Aaron Watkins(67) were a further stroke back at eight under while U.S. Openchampion Lucas Glover was at four under after following afirst-round 65 with a 71.
Play was suspended at 1626 local time (2026 GMT) withthunderstorms rolling into the area and no further action waspossible for the rest of the day.
Among those yet to complete the second round, U.S. Ryder Cupplayer Anthony Kim was at eight under with five holes remaining,level with compatriots Paul Goydos, David Toms and SpencerLevin.
Goydos and 2001 PGA Championship winner Toms also had fiveholes remaining while Levin had completed nine.
Perry, who flirted with a magical 59 before equalling thecourse record on Thursday, failed to increase his lead despitestriking the ball even better on Friday.
BALL CONTROL
“I hit a lot more quality, longer irons today,” the48-year-old told reporters. “It was fun out there. I had controlof the ball and hit it nice but just couldn’t get the speed (onthe greens).
“I hit 16 greens and didn’t miss a fairway but I had 32putts. I had 25 yesterday so that’s seven strokes. I’m in goodshape though and happy with the round.”
Perry, beaten in a three-way playoff at this year’s U.S.Masters, started at the 10th hole and mixed three birdies withhis first bogey of the week, at the par-four 14th, to reach theturn in two-under 33 before parring the last nine.
“I kept hitting it in there 15 feet from the hole,” saidPerry, who won his 13th PGA Tour title at the Phoenix Open inFebruary. “It’s a putt you think you should make but youprobably don’t make many of them.
“I just kept hitting that range all day. I had a couple ofclose ones and I think I made one putt over six feet today. Itwas just a frustrating day on the greens.”
Spanish world number four Sergio Garcia, the highest-rankedplayer in the field, was flirting with the cut after staying atthree under with five holes to play.
The cut was projected to fall at three-under 137 withBritain’s Justin Rose, Swede Daniel Chopra and defendingchampion Stewart Cink of the U.S. among those in danger ofmaking early exits.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles, editing byTony Jimenez and Alan Baldwin. To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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