Golf
Rain can't dull Bubba's shine
2010-01-23 09:09
Email | Print
LA QUINTA, California January 23
Wet weather was no impediment to Bubba Watson on Friday, as he fired a 10-under par 62 to take a two-shot lead after the delayed second round of the Bob Hope Classic.
After rain storms washed out play on Thursday, the second round of the 90-hole event teed off in driving rain on Friday.
It was raining again as the round wrapped up, but in between the long-hitting Watson capitalized on the wet fairways as he built a 16-under total of 128.
Alex Prugh was two shots back after a 66 for 130. First-round leader Shane Bertsch carded a 69 for 131, where he was joined by Joe Ogilvie (66), Martin Flores (65) and Chad Collins (64).
Watson played his second round at SilverRock, the toughest of the four courses in use for the tournament.
Watson's round included an eagle and nine birdies with one bogey, and his 62 improved on the SilverRock course record of 63 set by Jason Dufner last year.
"My length is definitely going to play a part on that golf course, because it's got wide fairways," Watson said. "I can rip it if I want to."
While the wet course made the par-fives less reachable, the conditions still suited Watson, especially with lift, clean and place rules in effect.
"The wet weather just totally plays into his favor, because his ball's not going to get out of control when it hits the ground," Bertsch said. "He can just fly it his 330 (yards), and plug it and lift it, clean it, and hit wedges into every hole. It doesn't surprise me one bit."
But Watson said his recent focus on putting also paid off.
"I putted well today. That was my key," he said. "I hit a lot of good shots, but I putted well."
The pros got through round two on the double, their amateur counterparts on the sidelines in a bid to speed things up.
The amateurs will return to action on Saturday, and even though the forecast for the weekend is clear the fifth and final round is now scheduled to finish on Monday.