Schaufelle leads Stricker and Bradley in Phoenix as Lowry finds putting form in Saudi International
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 05: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland checks his shot on the 13th hole during the second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 05, 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
World No. 4 Xander Schauffele cards five birdies and an eagle in a seven-under-par 64 to lead the Waste Management Phoenix Open by a shot from US Ryder Cup skipper Steve Stricker and Keegan Bradley at halfway.
Looking to become just the eighth player to win on the PGA Tour after turning 50, Stricker (53) showed Jordan Spieth the way back to the top by outscoring his opposite number and playing partner Pádraig Harrington by 13 strokes as he added a five-under 66 to his opening 65 to share second with Bradley, who shot 65, on 11-under par.
Jet-lagged Harrington (49) dropped three shots in his last four holes, carding a 73 to finish five shots outside the cut mark on two-over as Rory McIlroy, erratic off the tee and denied on the greens on the back nine, shot a 67 to lie seven shots off the pace in joint 26th on five-under.
But while Stricker was delighted with his own performance, he was thrilled to see three-time major winner Spieth (27) fire a second successive 67 to line joint eighth on eight-under.
“I think it's just a matter of time,” Stricker said of former world number one Spieth, who is winless since he lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale three and a half years ago and fallen to 91st in the world.
“He's got so much talent and so much ability, and he's a great putter. I think as soon as he figures out a few things here and there, he's going to be right back where he was. I think once he gives himself a break and finds out a few things with his swing or whatever he's been working on, he's going to be right back to that Jordan Spieth we all know and love.”
Spieth was encouraged by his form after hitting 11 fairways in his second round compared to just two on the opening day.
“I’m certainly not feeling like I have my A-game but I feel like it’s trending in the direction, which gives me a lot of confidence,” Spieth said after hitting 11 fairways compared to just two in round one.
Stricker has six wildcards to Harrington’s three but the Dubliner will have been pleased to see Shane Lowry find form with a borrowed putter in the weather-delayed Saudi International.
The Offaly man (33) was frustrated on the greens in Abu Dhabi and Dubai but he found success with an old Odyssey 2-Ball yesterday, making six birdies (including four in a row from the fourth) in 17 holes before play was suspended due to darkness.
Tied 72nd overnight after an opening 70, Lowry was three-under for the day with the 18th to play and up to 36th on three-under, seven shots behind clubhouse leader Ryan Fox, whose 65 left him tied with Stephen Gallacher on 10-under.
Ryan Fox. Picture: Getty Images
The Scot managed just 12 holes before the hooter sounded and was one of 16 players unable to complete their rounds following a two-hour delay for rain and lightning.
Viktor Hovland (23) fired a bogey-free 66 to move to within three shots on the lead on seven-under and admitted he was inspired to play with Ryder Cup talisman Ian Poulter, who joined the Norwegian and Danny Willett as part of a clear strategy by Harrington to create relationships in what could be his Ryder Cup family.
“It was awesome (playing with Ian),” Hovland said. “He's obviously a very passionate guy, and it's cool to see that passion come out, even though it's not a Ryder Cup. I could just kind of picture him and even Danny Willett in kind of that environment. I’d love to maybe be in the same setting some day.”
Ardglass’ Cormac Sharvin made four birdies in a 69 to share 52nd on one-under with the likes of world No 10 Patrick Reed, who had a double bogey and eagle three in a 70.
Graeme McDowell was just inside the projected cut, tied for 63rd on level par after mixing five birdies with five bogeys in a 70 but Paul Dunne was six-over, three over for the day, with eight holes to complete today.
