Joe Ogilvie fired a nine-under par 63 in California on Thursday to grab a three-stroke lead after the second round of the 90-hole PGA Bob Hope Classic on Thursday.
The American stood on 17-under par 127, leading after 36 holes for only the second time in his career after a round that included eight birdies and an eagle at the par-five 18th, offsetting his lone bogey of the day on the 17th.
”I played well, hit it close and made the right putts, which you have to do when you shoot 63,” Ogilvie said. ”After the sixth hole, I had a chance to birdie seven through 16. I think I either made birdie or hit the cup on every birdie putt.”
Ogilvie’s only other lead after 36 holes came at the 2001 Greater Hartford Open, where he finished in a share of 17th place.
Reigning Masters champion Phil Mickelson and Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson, who had six back-nine birdies in a 10-under 62 round, shared second on 130 at the $4,7-million event, which is played on four par-72 courses.
”The way the courses are here you have to make as many birdies as you can and try to take it day by day,” Jacobson said. ”I just played really solid golf. I played good yesterday [Thursday], but I didn’t quite make as many putts as today.”
Defending Bob Hope champion Mickelson fired a bogey-free 64. Over his past 22 rounds in California, Mickelson is 98 under par.
”I had a great time and it was a good round,” Mickelson said. ”I hit a lot of good shots with long irons to make my birdies rather than wedges.”
Australian Peter Lonard joined Americans Fred Couples, Robert Damron, Jason Allred and Billy Mayfair in fourth on 131.
Ogilvie was among five players who shared the first-round lead.
None of the eight previous first-round leaders has managed to win the event after 72 more holes. The last to turn the trick was American Kenny Perry in 1995.
Ogilvie has three eagles in two days. No rival has more than one.
”You just approach it that you have got to make a tonne of birdies here,” Ogilvie said. ”I came here thinking that I’ve got to make 40 birdies to have a chance to win, which is totally crazy over five rounds.
”I’ve gotten 19 so far if you count the three eagles as two birdies.”
Mickelson birdied all four par-five holes and had five birdies on the first seven holes of the back nine. His victory in California last year snapped an 18-month win drought and began a roll that led to his first major title at Augusta.
Mickelson, who followed a 30-under 330 last year with a first-hole playoff victory over compatriot Skip Kendall, also won here in 2002.
Another left-hander, Canada’s Mike Weir, won in California in 2003, making this the only US PGA event won three years in a row by southpaws. — Sapa-AFP