Hudson Swafford carded a bogey-free 6-under-par 66 and was tied for the lead with Boo Weekley, who was still on the course when play was suspended because of inclement weather in the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana at Avondale, La.
The 27-year-old Swafford, whose only pro victory came in the Web.com Tour’s 2012 Stadion Classic at UGA on the course he played in college at Georgia, opened with a 67 that included an eagle when he holed his second shot for an eagle on the 18th hole. He has not made a bogey in the first 36 holes.
“I’ve seen this coming,” said Swafford, who lost his card after missing the cut in 15 of 26 events on the PGA Tour last year but regained it by finishing 25th in the Web.com Tour Finals. “I’m playing really solid golf. I’ve done a really good job of taking on trouble, and not being scared of the bunkers and taking good angles into the pins.
“That’s what you’ve got to do on a Pete Dye course. It’s not always about having the perfect drive in the center of the fairway, but the best approach shot into the greens because it makes it tough to bend. I’m just chipping well and just really rolling it nice.”
Weekley, who shared the first round lead with a 64, was 3-under for his second round after 15 holes and was one of 78 players still on the course when play was halted for the day. The second round will continue Saturday morning.
Brendon De Jonge, who was tied for the first-round lead with Weekley, shot 70 and was one stroke back in a tie for second with Cameron Tringale of Laguna Niguel, whose 65 included a 71-foot chip-in for eagle on the second hole,
Jerry Kelly also was tied for second when play was halted, but was looking over a four-foot par putt on the 18th hole to shoot 64.
Jason Day of Australia and rookie Daniel Berger also were on the course in the tie for third, Day at 5-under for the day through 14 holes and Berger at 4-under after 15 holes.
Chad Campbell birdied two of his last three holes to shoot 68 and was two shots behind in a tie for eighth with Morgan Hoffman, David Hearn of Canada, rookie Justin Thomas, Steven Bowditch of Australia and Chris Stroud, who were all still on the course.
