Unheralded Kyle Stanley of the US returned a four-under 66 to knock Rory Sabbatini from the top of leaderboard on Friday and grab a one-shot lead after two rounds at the Honda Classic.
On another windy day at the Palm Beach Gardens layout, Stanley mixed six birdies with two bogeys to get to six-under 134, replacing Sabbatini as the midway leader after the South African spent much of the day in top spot after a sizzling six-under 64.
“I like playing these conditions,” said Stanley, who is still chasing his first top 10 USPGA Tour finish. “I think it kind of really brings a feel aspect into it and you kind of have to use your instincts and feel. I enjoy doing that, so I’d like to see the wind stay up a little bit.”
Photo: AFP
Sabbatini, one of the early starters, made the most of the slightly improved conditions, carding seven birdies against a single bogey to rocket into the lead.
“After the way I struggled yesterday, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to getting out there today,” Sabbatini told reporters. “Put the ball in the right spots a few times and make a couple of putts, and all of a sudden you stop worrying about everything and you just start trying to make some more birdies.”
South African Charl Schwartzel drained a birdie at his final hole for a one-under 69 to take ownership of third place, three off the pace on 137.
Britain’s Lee Westwood, who can reclaim the world No. 1 ranking with a solo third place finish or better, eased into contention with a one-under 69 to join Spencer Levin and Yang Yong-eun of South Korea five back of the leader on 139.
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