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Toshiba Classic
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 Fred Couples fired a tournament-low 64 during Saturday's second round (PHOTO: Mark Susson). The La Quinta resident, already with a win and runner-up finish in his first two over-50 events, positioned himself for another victory by shooting a tournament-low 64 during Saturday’s second round of the Toshiba Classic. He stands at 12-under par, two clear of Tom Lehman and Chein Soon Lu entering Sunday’s final round. On paper, Couples didn’t have as strong a ballstriking day Saturday at Newport Beach Country Club as he did in Friday’s opening round. He found the short grass on only five of 14 holes compared to nine out of 14 the previous day, and also hit two fewer greens in regulation — 14 instead of 16. Many of the wayward drives settled only a few yards beyond the fairway, although some did not. At the par-4 ninth, Couples plopped his tee shot behind a tree but hit a miraculous shot through an opening that settled a few feet from the hole and led to birdie. However, one hole later, he stymied himself against another tree and had to hit a left-handed recovery shot to get back in play. That led to what proved to be his only bogey of the day, and thanks to a superb putting exhibition (only 26 putts), Couples posted a better score on paper — a 7-under 64 — than Friday’s 5-under 66. “I played a great round, I really did,” Couples said. “I didn’t hit every green. But the best thing is when I had a putt to make birdie, I made most of them.” Saturday was marked by cold, windy conditions, and despite efforts to avoid rain early in the morning, play was suspended between 10:04 and 11:15 a.m. because of a torrential downpour. Although conditions were more difficult, plenty of birdies were still available. Tom Lehman and Chien Soon Lu, who have plenty of length off the tee like Couples, climbed further up the leaderboard and will be in the final group tomorrow. Lehman caught fire on the back nine with seven birdies, and despite a three-putt bogey on the par-4 16th, posted a 65. The former PGA Tour star has quietly enjoyed a high amount of success on the Champions Tour, with a win and seven top-10 finishes in 10 events. “I’m driving the ball extremely well and rolling the ball nicely,” said Lehman. Lu, a native of Taiwan, had an up-and-down front nine that included three pars, three birdies and three bogeys. But his back nine was much smoother, as he racked up three birdies in his first four holes and closed with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole for the second-straight day. Here’s how other notable players fared during the second round of the Toshiba Classic: • Bob Tway and Mark Wiebe, who shared the lead with Lu after the first round, both struggled Saturday. Tway staggered to a 1-over 72 while Wiebe, who is battling illness, shot even-par. Both are still in the top 10. • Also in the top 10 is part-time Corona del Mar resident John Cook. The 52-year-old fired a bogey-free 66 and is tied for sixth at 6-under par. • Ventura native Corey Pavin has been steady, backing up a 68 in the first round with a 69. He’s tied for 10th at 5-under par. • Sixty-four-year-old Hale Irwin, the most decorated player in Champions Tour history, just keeps going. He shot a 4-under 67 Saturday and is tied for 14th. • San Bernardino native and Redlands resident Dave Stockton, the only player to compete in every Toshiba Classic, withdrew Saturday after opening with a 79 Friday. Click here for a complete leaderboard. Check back to Southland Golf throughout the weekend for more coverage of the Toshiba Classic. ALSO SEE: Photos from Round 2 of Toshiba Classic Wiebe, Tway, Lu share lead after Round 1 of Toshiba Classic |
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