Weekley makes a run in Greenbrier Classic
Boo Weekley's bum shoulder is improving and the self-proclaimed redneck has put down the fishing pole, hoping it might lead to a win at a tournament not named the Heritage.
Weekley equaled his best round of the year with a 7-under 63 on Friday on the Old White course to vault into second place, 4 strokes behind leader Jeff Overton, midway through the inaugural Greenbrier Classic in White Sulpher Springs, W. Va.
Weekley hit 17 greens in regulation and had 7 birdies during a bogey-free morning round for a two-day total of 10 under.
"I'm excited to play again," Weekley said. "Feels like I can actually come out and compete and don't have to take a bunch of (pain relievers) or nothing where I can play."
The avid fisherman and hunter no longer packs the tackle box along with his clubs. Trout-stocked Howard's Creek runs throughout The Greenbrier, including in front of the first and 18th tees, but Weekley isn't giving in to the temptation.
"I put all my stuff up when I come to tournaments now," Weekley said. "I just mostly focus on golf and do my job and be done with it."
Weekley couldn't focus much after tearing a labrum in his left shoulder last year at the TPC Sawgrass. He stopped playing for more than a month and was left with a limited range of motion.
He said his shoulder is to the point "where I feel like I can actually swing the club and not have the hesitation at it."
Old White's length and lack of deep rough have led to an assault on the pins, and rains that softened the greens earlier in the week have made solid scoring even more possible.
Overton's 8-under 62 was the low round of the tournament and his best of the year.
"I don't really know the last time I was playing with this much confidence," said Overton, who's winless in five years on the PGA Tour. "I'm just kind of getting used to the whole PGA Tour lifestyle."
U.S. Senior Open: Bernhard Langer has himself in position for a second consecutive major championship.
Langer overcame a shaky front nine with an eagle and birdie on the inward half Friday to take the lead at 3 under in the second round of the U.S. Senior Open in Sammamish, Wash.
After a fog delay of more than two hours brought play to a halt just before 8 a.m., Langer shot a 2-under 68, making key putts on the back nine when his round easily could have slipped away."You never quite know. It's the type of golf course that any hole can get to you," said Langer, coming off a victory last week in the Senior British Open at Carnoustie. "You just got to be careful and hit good shots."
No one in the afternoon rounds was able to match Langer. John Cook was two back after a 68, along with J.R. Roth. Tom Watson and Fred Couples shot 70s to stay three back. Loren Roberts and Michael Allen also were even through two rounds.
Women's British Open: Yani Tseng certainly is consistent.
The 21-year-old from Taiwan shot her second consecutive 4-under 68 on Friday, taking a four-shot lead after the second round of the Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. The American duo of Brittany Lincicome and Christie Kerr joined Amy Young of South Korea in the chase entering the weekend.
"There was no wind this morning and it was very calm, so it was nice out there," said Tseng, who is trying to win her third major championship.
Irish Open: Ross Fisher is taking a three-shot lead into the third round of the Irish Open after shooting a 10-under 61.
Fisher had 10 birdies in 12 holes in a bogey-free round Friday that left him at 12-under 130 at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.
Francesco Molinari of Italy was second after a 66, and nine players were tied for third another two shots behind.
Fisher was in position to become the first player to shoot a 59 on the European Tour after reaching 10 under on the 14th hole, but missed three late birdie putts.