JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, (Reuters) – U.S. Tour rookie Webb Simpson took advantage of milder afternoon conditions to shoot a three-under-par 68 for a two-stroke lead after yesterday’s second round of the Barclays Classic. After a miserable morning of heavy rain and gusty wind that saw early starters manage only two sub-par rounds, Simpson emerged from a four-man tussle for the lead by matching the low round of the day for a 36-hole total of eight-under-par 134.
“It was just one of those long, tough days,” said Simpson, who won his tour card through qualifying school and is leading a PGA event for the first time. “I couldn’t have picked a better time to be playing well here in the playoffs.”
Two strokes behind the 24-year-old American in the first leg of the four-tournament FedExCup series that pays a $10 million bonus to the winner, were compatriots Paul Goydos and Steve Marino, joint first-round leaders after opening 65s.
Goydos finished bogey-bogey to complete his level-par 71.
“Obviously the finish wasn’t what I had hoped for but the reality is second place,” he told reporters.
Another two shots back on four-under-par 138 were Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson (72) and American Heath Slocum, who double-bogeyed the last hole for 72 after getting to seven under par for the tournament. Tiger Woods bogeyed the 18th for a 72 that left him even par on 142, eight shots behind Simpson. Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who also shared the overnight lead, fell victim to the brutal morning conditions and slid to a 76 for 141. “It was hands down the longest course I’ve played this year, the way it was playing,” said Garcia. “I don’t know how many five, four and three-irons I hit into the green. I (also) hit some woods into the green.”
Morning starters averaged 75.55, more than two shots worse than the players that started later.
Briton Ian Poulter (72), Swede Richard S. Johnson (71) and American Steve Stricker (70) were tied on 139, five strokes off the pace.Seventy-seven players made the cut of five-over-par 147, matching the Arnold Palmer Invitational as the season’s highest 36-hole cut in relation to par.
Among those missing the cut were holder Vijay Singh (150), Masters champion Angel Cabrera (152) and U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover, who played without a driver for 11 holes while waiting for a replacement for the one he cracked in practice on Thursday. Glover shot 81 for 156.
Twice former U.S. Open winner Ernie Els moved into contention with the help of an eagle on the short par-four 16th. He shot 68 to finish on 140.
“Today it was downwind, 288 (yards). I hit a driver for a change, straight, to eight feet for eagle.
“Overall I’m playing good. I’ve really driven the ball well so far. My iron play feels good. My putter feels better. You know, I might even have a chance this weekend. We’ll see.”
Because of more rain forecast for today, players will go off in threesomes from both tees for the third round starting from 1038 (1438 GMT).
