HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Brian Gay’s run of five straight birdies lifted him past a revived Todd Hamilton after two rounds of the Verizon Heritage on Friday.
Gay made six birdies on the front nine, including five in a row from the fourth through ninth holes to help him to a 66 and, at 9-under par, a one-stroke lead over former British Open champion Hamilton.
First-round leader Alex Cejka followed his 64 with an even-par 71 and was tied at 7-under with two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen.
Janzen’s round of 70 featured an ace on the 17th hole.
Gay has steadily improved over his 11 full PGA Tour seasons. His best came last year with his first career victory at the Mayakoba Classic and a personal high of more than $2.2 million in earnings.
“That front nine was awesome,” Gay said.
Gay’s streak began when he rolled in an 18-footer for birdie on the par-3 4th hole, then picked up steam with a 25-foot putt a hole later. His approach from a fairway bunker landed inside 5 feet for a third straight birdie.
After a birdie putt inside 10 feet on the seventh, Gay closed the stretch with another sizeable putt of 20 feet to reach 10 under.
Gay had a chance from 15 feet away on the ninth hole to keep things going, but settled for par.
He was well shy of the PGA Tour mark of eight straight birdies, accomplished many times. Last year, champion Boo Weekley and Jay Williamson each had streaks of five consecutive birdies at Harbour Town.
Gay made his only bogey on the 10th hole, then parred in to hold on to the lead.
He’s had his struggles here, missing the cut six times in his nine previous trips. And Gay felt as challenged Friday with the swirling winds, despite his charge.
“Heck, I was as surprised as anybody” about his birdie run, he said.
Gay led a strong, if not stellar field, as many of the world’s best players took the week off to recuperate after the Masters.
Green jacket winner Angel Cabrera took a break as did Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. In all, just six of the top 20 ranked golfers teed it up here.
Champions Tour
LUTZ, Fla. – Larry Nelson shot a 6-under 65 to take a one-shot lead over Nick Price after the first round of the Outback Pro-Am on Friday.
Nelson got going with a chip-in for par at No. 13 at the Champions Tour event at TPC Tampa Bay. He then had birdies at Nos. 16, 1, 3 and 8.
The last time the 61-year-old Nelson held first place outright was at the SAS Championship in September 2001. The last time the three-time major winner had a 65 was more than two years ago.
Price, who also has won three majors, started off with a bogey at 12, but then birdied No. 13.
China Open
BEIJING – South Korea’s Choi Ho-sung shot a 4-under 68 to take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the China Open.
Choi was at 6-under 138, ahead of overnight leader Markus Brier of Austria, who followed a first-round 67 with a 73. Brier is tied for second with Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat (71).