Beau Hossler continues to stalk his first victory on the PGA Tour.
Hossler, the 23-year-old from Rancho Santa Margarita, carded a 4-under-par 66 and is tied for the lead with Ryan Armour and Brian Gay midway through the Quicken Loans National at TPC Potomac at Avenal Farm in Potomac, Md.
“I usually try and play par 70 (courses),” joked Hossler, who leads the circuit with 41 rounds in the 60s this season. “No, it’s been strong this year, I’ve had a lot of really good rounds. Unfortunately, I’ve had some kind of high ones that are uncharacteristic for me.
“I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing. I feel good. I mean, the course is score-able. … The course is in perfect shape so you could get it rolling with the putter, and with how hot it is, it’s not playing particularly long. I expect to be in contention heading (into the weekend) and I look forward to it.”
Hossler, who lost in a playoff to Ian Poulter of England at the Houston Open in April, recorded a 36-hole score of 9-under 131. He has broken 70 in his last seven rounds.
Gay, who shot 64, and Armour, who had a 65, both made birdies from about five feet on their last hole, No. 9, while playing in the same group to pull even with Hossler.
Francesco Molinari of Italy, who won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on the European Tour last month, put up a bogey-free 65 and is one stroke back in a tie four fourth with Billy Horschel, who totaled 68 despite a closing bogey, while Zac Blair is two behind in solo sixth after a 66 after another bogey at the finish.
Kevin Streelman collected six birdies and made a nine-foot eagle putt at No. 14 in a flawless 62 and is three down in a tie for seventh with John Huh of Los Angeles and Cal State Northridge, who posted a bogey-free 64, and Marc Leishman of Australia and C.T. Pan of Taiwan, who both came in at 67.
Tournament host Tiger Woods had seven birdies in a 65 that left him tied for 11th, and eighth-ranked Rickie Fowler of Murrieta is tied for 20th after a bogey-free 66.
For complete results, visit https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.
