American Patrick Cantlay maintained his first place at the end of the second round of the American Express tournament on Friday in California, but he will have to be wary of several of his pursuers, including his compatriot Will Zalatoris.
The latter had the best round of the day, by far, he who subtracted 11 strokes from par 72. The 25-year-old athlete, who began his second day of activities on the back nine of the course ” Nicklaus,” stalled five birdies against a bogey in the first seven pennants. It was at the end of the round that the golfer offered his best game, stalling birdies on each of the last seven holes.
With such a performance, Zalatoris brought his cumulative to 132 (-12), two strokes behind Cantlay. He shares third place with four other participants.
To get back to the leader, he hit the white object 68 (-4) times to preserve the top spot, also on the “Nicklaus” course. Tom Hoge is in second place.
Since each golfer must run once on each of the three courses, none of them was a victim of the ax.
Canadian Roger Sloan continued to climb the rankings. By virtue of a second card of 67 (-5), he posted a cumulative of 133 (-11) and tied for eighth place, three strikes from the leader.
Michael Gligic and Adam Svensson also occupy a relatively enviable position, 32nd, six strokes behind Cantlay. For his part, Nick Taylor will have to be careful if he wants to participate in the final round on Sunday, he who rests in 57th place, with a score of 138 (-6).
The other members of the maple leaf will have their work cut out for them in order to get back on track. Adam Hadwin (140; -4) and Corey Conners (141; -3), are 82nd and 91st respectively, while Taylor Pendrith languishes in 119th place, due to a score of 143 (-1).
LPGA: Brooke M. Henderson still in the race
Canada’s Brooke M. Henderson can still hope to triumph at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Fla., after she chipped away four more par-72s in the second round on Friday.
The representative of the maple leaf did particularly well during the first 12 pennants of her round, stalling five birdies. However, things went downhill on the last three holes, where she committed two bogeys against a single birdie.
She thus shares fifth place with the French Céline Boutier, three strokes behind the leader, the American Nelly Korda.
No other Canadian is taking part in this event which brings together only 29 golfers, all those who won a tournament last season.
