Golf-Wilson birdies final four holes to share lead (Reuters)
February 26, 2010
* Wilson’s late birdies transform “so-so” round
* Villegas shares lead after last hole bogey
* Kim shoots a 65 to tie for third (Adds quotes)
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, Feb 26 (Reuters) – American MarkWilson birdied his last four holes to grab a share of the leadwith Camilo Villegas after the second round of the Phoenix Openon Friday.
Wilson capped his brilliant run with a 24-foot birdie puttto finish with a five-under 66 and join overnight leaderVillegas on 11-under for a total 131 after the Colombianstumbled with a bogey on the last hole to card a 69.
Wilson started the day three strokes behind Villegas andfell back with a bogey on his first hole, but recovered with abirdie on the third to make the turn at even par.
“Today I three-putted the very first hole but stayedpatient, made a great save on the next and then I just birdiedthe last four holes,” Wilson told reporters.
“I kind of turned a so-so round, probably what would beabout 15th place, into tied for the lead now with those lastfour birdies.”
After shooting a bogey-free 62 to match the tournament’sfirst round record on Thursday, Villegas was less controlled inhis 69, which featured three birdies and three bogeys and aneagle on the par-five 13th.
“It’s tough to shoot 9-under in one day. To do it two daysin a row, it’s even harder obviously” said Villegas.
“Am I disappointed the fact that I didn’t go low-low today?No. You just want to stay in the tournament. I mean, after agreat first day, you just want to keep plugging, keep stayingthere and give yourself a chance come Sunday afternoon.”
Three Americans are tied in third place a stroke back at10-under par. Anthony Kim, who started on the back nine, shot a65, making birdies on six of his first nine holes.
Ryan Moore carded an eight-birdie 66 marred by a doublebogey, and Rickie Fowler shot 67 to join Kim in third.
Ian Poulter, who won the WGC-Accenture Match PlayChampionship last week, recovered from his opening round 72 tocard a bogey-free 63 and finish four strokes adrift of theleaders.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing byIan Ransom and Nick Mulvenney; To query or comment on thisstory email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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