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Wagner leads at wet Houston Open

Andres Romero of Argentina watches his tee shot on the fifth hole during the second round of the Houston Open golf tournament on Friday in Humble, Texas. PHOTO: AP

Johnson Wagner fired a three-under par 69 and has a three-shot lead after the rain-shortened second round at the US$5.6 million PGA Houston Open. Wagner finished his round, something 36 others couldn’t say as a storm blew over the Redstone Golf Club.

His 12-under 132 total gave him a three-stroke cushion over Mathew Goggin and Charlie Hoffman.

Play was stopped for two hours in the afternoon before the golfers returned to the course then halted for the day because of darkness.

The three dozen golfers were due to return to the course early yesterday morning to complete the second round and a cut will be established, then the third round will begin.

“It was hard for me to sleep [Thursday] because I really wanted to get out there and keep playing,” Wagner said. “I missed a bunch of chances coming in, but I’m pleased with the round.”

“There’s nothing about this place I don’t like,” Wagner told reporters. “The course is incredible. I love the setup. The condition is great, and I think if I had to pinpoint one thing I would say my ability to read these greens.”

Aussie Goggin shot a 64 to get to nine-under and into a tie with Hoffman.

Goggin’s round was highlighted by two eagles. His first was on the fifth hole when he holed out with an eight-iron from 161 yards. The second was when he holed a bunker shot on No. 8.

“Obviously, it was a bonus,” Goggin said of his eagles. “You always think that when you hit the shot. But it’s important the next two holes not to give them back.”

Six Australians have won eight Houston Opens, including Adam Scott last year and Stuart Appleby in 2006.

Goggin offered a tongue-in-cheek theory on why Australians have had so much success here.

“Maybe we’re just better on courses you don’t have to think around,” he said. “You just smash it and go find it. You dumb it down for us and we do all right.”

American Chad Campbell also returned a 64 to stand alone in fourth place with a seven-under tally of 137, one stroke better than compatriots Lucas Glover and Robert Garrigus.

Joining Scott at 139 were Ben Crane and Jose Maria Olazabal.

First round leader Scott got caught in the rain delay and nearly didn’t finish his round. He stumbled in the soggy conditions with three birdies, five bogeys and a double-bogey, finishing with a four-over 76.

His bogey on the second hole ended his tournament streak of 55 holes without a bogey.

One golfer who apparently wasn’t able to tough out the conditions was American John Daly.

He played seven holes before the rain delay and decided he had enough. He withdrew, claiming a bad back.
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