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Steele takes slim lead at Honda Classic
MIAMI, Feb 29, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Brendan Steele, robbed of a hole in one in
heartbreaking style, still emerged with the halfway lead at the Honda
Classic, where he fired a three-under par 67 for a one-stroke edge on Friday.
Steele’s five birdies at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,
included a stunning tee shot at the par-three 15th that circled the cup,
dipped down and popped out to leave him inches for birdie.
“I wish it would have gone in, but I was happy to tap in,” said Steele, who
is chasing a fourth US PGA Tour title.
The American had climbed the leaderboard with a 10-foot birdie putt at the
second, a six-footer at the 10th and a 19-foot birdie at 13.
After failing to get up and down from a greenside bunker at 16 he drained
another 10-footer for birdie at 17, and even a bogey at 18 — where his
second shot was over the green and in the water — left him alone atop the
leaderboard on five-under 135.
England’s Lee Westwood and Luke Donald and American J.T. Poston were a
stroke back on 136 and US Open champion Gary Woodland shared fifth place with
fellow American Nick Watney, Austrian Sepp Straka and Australian Cameron
Davis on 137.
On another day when low scores were hard to come by, Donald had eight
birdies in his four-under 66 — bouncing back after three bogeys in his first
five holes. Westwood and Poston both posted 69s.
“I like it when conditions are tough,” Donald said. “That’s when I play my
best, especially with this northwesterly wind, the course tends to play a bit
tougher this way. You’ve got to be patient, got to pick your spots to
attack.”
– Koepka misses cut –
World number three Brooks Koepka blamed putting problems for a second
straight 74 that saw him miss the cut.
The four-time major winner said his difficulties had nothing to do with the
left knee injury that hindered him late last year, prompting him to have stem
cell therapy in August.
“I’m fine,” Koepka said. “It’s nothing to do with my knee. It’s just me.”
Koepka missed half a dozen putts from within 10 feet — chipping in for his
only birdie of the day. One day after a triple bogey and a double bogey
marred his card, he had two double bogeys.
“Struck it really well,” Koepka said. “Really pleased with how I’m hitting
it. Putter, I just haven’t putted well.”
England’s Tommy Fleetwood was challenging for the lead after four birdies
on the front nine, but a double bogey and two late bogeys coming in left him
in a group on 138.
Playing partner Justin Rose fared even worse, firing a 74 to join Koepka,
Rickie Fowler and defending champion Keith Mitchell on the wrong side of the
cut line.
“There’s really no easy shots out there, no easy holes,” said Steele, who
goes into the weekend seeking his first title since he won two straight
Safeway Opens in 2017 and 2018.
For him, that’s good news.
“I feel like I can make birdies on this course maybe more than other guys
can, and I don’t necessarily feel that way a lot of weeks,” he said. “That
gives me some confidence, and I definitely feel like harder is usually better
for me.”
BSS/AFP/GMR/1005 hrs