Elmhurst’s Wilson tied for lead at BMW Championship

For many, Mark Wilson’s breakout year of 2011 — which has included a pair of victories over a month’s span early on and a position near the top of the FedEx Cup standings all year — has come as quite a surprise.

After all, the 36-year-old resident of Elmhurst has been a steady but not spectacular player since joining the PGA Tour in 2007. He picked up a victory at the Honda Classic in his rookie year, added another win in 2009, and earned at least $1.5 million his first three years playing with the big boys.

But even with the wins, the doubts lingered and a tough 2010 season, which ended with only a pair of top-10 finishes and earnings of just under $800,000 added a little fuel to the fire.

But his caddie believed.

And his caddie was right.

“I knew he was a top 100 player when I first started with him,” said Chris Jones, who has been on Wilson’s bag for six years. “I knew he had it in him even though he wasn’t close to it then.

“He needed to believe it more than anybody. I think he kind of thought for a while that he was a journeyman golfer — ‘just try to finish in the top 125 (to) just keep my job.’

That all changed with his first win.

“Once he won the Honda he was like, ‘Man, I can do this,’” Jones said. “I don’t know if he ever thought he would win before the Honda. Once he got that — and with the way he closed it out (in a four-way playoff).

“He’s a closer. He finished off Honda, he finished off Sony, he finished off Phoenix ... he doesn’t fold.”

Well, two more days like he’s had in Lemont and he might just finish off the 70-man field at the BMW Championship at Cog Hill.

Wilson started the day 2 shots behind Justin Rose, but with a walking gallery of about 100 family and friends on hand, he roared to a 5-under round of 66 to tie Rose at 11 under for the lead after two rounds. Playoff points leader Webb Simpson is 2 shots off the lead.

Playing on a Dubsdread course he estimates he’s played over 100 times paid off for Wilson, who at one point put together a string of 4 straight birdies. But it was his par-saving shots, including a nerve-jangling sand save on 18 from a “semi plugged” lie, that proved the difference Friday.

“Obviously, the water in the distance and a lot going on ... I hit a great shot just to get it to 10 feet,” Wilson said.

If he felt extra pressure on the shot, it sure didn’t show.

“I think it’s more of a mental shift,” he said. “It’s not putting pressure on yourself. It’s not getting frustrated out there. It’s having the ability just to stay a little more patient, and I think that’s what I’m feeling this week.”

He’s not the only one.

Rose, who survived a couple of wayward shots, still produced a stellar round of 68 to remain atop the leaderboard.

“My caddie said it’s the best round he’s seen in 20 years out there from a ball-striking perspective,” Rose said. “It was good. I was very happy, once again.”

And don’t count out Simpson, who has just 1 bogey through 36 holes.

“Another good day,” he said. “I didn’t make as many putts, but I finished solidly and I figured out something coming in the last few holes, so I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

But just as was the case Friday, all eyes will be on Wilson, who is currently projected in second in the playoff points standings, meaning maybe, just maybe, the $10 million grand prize is within his reach.

“It’s a long way to go; we know that,” Jones said. “You start thinking about that and you’re done.

“He knows; he’s been out here long enough. We’ve had great two-day runs before and finished 30th. You can’t get ahead of yourself.

“They don’t pay you until Sunday night. They don’t give out the trophy until Sunday night.”