Winds of Change: Shriners Hospital Open Hit by Gusty Conditions
The second round of the Shriners Hospital Open was a test of endurance for the players, with strong winds causing a four-hour delay and making every shot a challenge. Taylor Pendrith, the leader after the first round, was spared the worst of the conditions, playing only six holes before darkness halted play.
Pendrith’s Short Day
Pendrith, who had a 10-under 61 on Thursday, remained at 10 under after his short day of work, which included four pars, a birdie, and a bogey. He leads by one shot over Rico Hoey, who made a 15-foot eagle putt on his seventh and final hole.
Kitayama’s Impressive Round
Las Vegas resident Kurt Kitayama was one of the standout performers of the day, shooting a bogey-free 68 in gusts approaching 40 mph. He was part of the group at 8-under 134 that included Doug Ghim, J.J. Spaun, and Davis Thompson, all of whom completed the second round.
Ghim’s Patient Golf
Ghim’s round was a testament to his patience and skill, as he made his first par on the eighth hole and went on to shoot a hard-earned 70. “Just a lot of patient golf and knowing the value of a par was going to be a little bit higher than normal,” Ghim said.
Challenging Conditions
The start of the day was delayed four hours due to the strong winds, which made it difficult to play and caused safety concerns. The players struggled to judge the distance and trajectory of their shots, and putting was also a challenge. Joseph Bramlett had a particularly tough time, five-putting from 10 feet on the first hole.
Sigg’s Hard-Won 69
Greyson Sigg’s 69 was a hard-won score, as he battled against the wind and cold temperatures. “I felt like I shot 62 today to be honest, and I only shot 2 under,” Sigg said. “It was so cold this morning. I think we were fortunate they delayed it a little bit.”
Coody’s Best Round
The best round of the day belonged to Pierceson Coody, who managed eight birdies in his round of 65 after opening with a 72. He was at 5-under 137.
Looking Ahead
The players will face another challenging day on Saturday, with strong winds expected to continue. The 36-hole cut is still to come, and it is likely to be around 3-under par or 2-under par.
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