Rookie Beau Hossler has the 36-hole lead for the second time in a PGA Tour event and only hopes he can finish it off this time.
The 23-year-old Hossler, from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., recorded a 4-under-par 68 to take a one-stroke lead over four players midway through the Shell Houston Open on the Tournament Course at the Golf Club of Houston at Humble, Texas.
“It was solid,” said Hossler, a gallery favorite since he played college golf at Texas. “It was tough today, especially with that northwest wind at 10-15 miles per hour. To get out of there at 4-under was good. I just kept the ball in front of me and rolled in some putts.
“I look forward to taking advantage of some similar opportunities on the weekend, but with 36 holes left, there is so much golf yet to play. It’s not like I can shoot even-par and win the tournament. I just want to stick with my game plan.”
Hossler, whose bogey on the first hole in round two was his only one in 36 holes, put up a score of 11-under 133. He was tied for the 36-hole lead in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am but faded to a tie for 43rd.
Eighth-ranked Rickie Fowler, from Murrieta, birdied four of the first six holes was tied for the lead with Hossler until hitting his drive into the water and making a bogey on the last hole of a 68, while rookie Sam Ryder bounced back from bogeys on his first two holes to post another 68.
Fowler and Ryder are tied for second with Abraham Ancer of Mexico, who birdied five of his first six holes, and Nicholas Lindheim, who both carded 66s.
Paul Dunne of Ireland, who led after the rain-delayed first round when he finished off a 64 in the morning, came back with a 71 and is two shots back in a tie for sixth with fourth-ranked Jordan Spieth (67), Bronson Burgoon (68), Julian Suri (69) and Kevin Tway (70).
Fifth-ranked Justin Rose of England is tied for 23rd after a 69, Phil Mickelson shot 71 and is tied for 42nd, while defending champion Russell Henley is tied for 57th after another 71.
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