Brett Stegmaier was clinging to a one-shot lead with three holes to play on Friday when darkness stopped the second round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
Stegmaier, a 32-year-old making just his fifth career start on the USPGA Tour, was six-under for the day and 11-under for the tournament — one stroke in front of a trio sharing the clubhouse lead on 132.
Stegmaier, who earned his PGA Tour card through the developmental Web.com Tour Finals, got his nose in front thanks to an eagle at the par-five 16th and four birdies through 15 holes.
Photo: AFP
He teed off on 10 and found the green in regulation at each of his first 16 holes. His eagle came after birdies at 13 and 14, and he was to return yesterday morning to face a 13-foot birdie putt on the seventh.
American Tyler Aldridge was the first player in at 10-under after a second-round 68. He was joined by fellow Americans Chad Campbell (67) and Morgan Hoffmann (66).
Aldridge put in extra duty on Friday, having joined Michael Thompson, Mark Hubbard and Canadian David Hearn atop the leaderboard after completing the last two holes of his opening round on Friday morning.
Fourteen players still to complete the second round.
Hubbard was among a group on nine-under that also included fellow Americans Nick Watney, Daniel Summerhays and Jimmy Walker and Zimbabwe’s Brendon de Jonge.
World No. 5 Rickie Fowler, the highest-ranked player in the field, followed his opening 72 with a 65, highlighted by an 80-foot eagle putt at the par-five 13th.
“Finally got a few things to go my way,” Fowler said. “Nice to have a tee time tomorrow.”
While Fowler set himself up comfortably for the weekend, Argentine rookie Emiliano Grillo — winner of the season-opening Frys.com Open last week — missed the cut after following a 74 with a one-under par 70.
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