Peter Lonard proved that he knows how to stick with the competition starting the third round six strokes behind Darren Clarke and shooting a 6-under 66. He overtook Clarke by one stroke and found a measure of redemption after a disappointing 74. Lonard had an impressive six birdies throughout the day with the most memorable a 57 foot putt on the 15th hole. Apparently this putt was the longest ever shot from a blimp (for all you trivia nuts out there).
Lonard said, “I played as solid as I could have dreamed and unfortunately for Darren it didn’t work out his way. I can’t wait to get out tomorrow, I feel like I’ve been playing pretty good for the last month or so and getting no returns. Tee to green was solid, my chipping was great, and I hit a lot of good putts so I can’t ask for anymore. I’ve just got to go in tomorrow and see if I can do the same as what I did today.”
Continue reading “Lonard Leap-Frogs Clarke To Regain The Lead”
All the golfers at the MCI Heritage forgot to tell Darren Clarke that the course was playing pretty tough on Friday. He carded six birdies and zero bogeys in the second round to take a six-shot lead into the weekend. His total of 12-under par after two rounds is only one off the record set by Jack Nicklaus in 1975. Clarke attributes his great play at this golf course to just feeling comfortable. “I knew I liked the golf course and that’s why I’ve kept coming back,” he said. “It’s easier to play on a golf course you’re comfortable on than one that you’re not. I’m enjoying myself and playing pretty solid golf.”
With an unfortunate bogey start to an otherwise exciting round, Wendy Ward finished happily today with a 4-under 68, putting her in sole possession of the lead (-11). Playing comfortably today, Ward spread out her five birdies over the course of the round. When asked about her eight-par beginning to the round Wendy stated “You have to stay aggressive on this course. I didn’t give myself any opportunity. I was hitting crooked off the tee. I was making some really good saves but that doesn’t jump you ahead.”
The 2005 Takefuji Classic in Las Vegas started out this morning with winds howling and branches literally falling off the trees. The early tee times got a bad break today with savage winds in opening-round action. As fair skies moved in both Wendy Ward and Karrie Webb shot opening rounds of 7-under 65 to share the lead.
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Cristie Kerr, the number two ranked LPGA golfer on the 2005 ADT Money List, attempts to defend her title for the second straight year this week at the Takefuji Classic. Kerr went into the final round of last year’s competition with a 4-shot lead but watched it slip away as Seol-An Jeon carded a 69 to force a sudden death playoff. Seven holes later, a struggling Kerr finally won the tournament for her second win on tour. Currently 22nd in overall career winnings (4 million) and with four starts this season but no victories, can Kerr break through and win this week?