Day, Jones share Puerto Rico Open lead
Published 4:51 pm Friday, March 13, 2009
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico — Matt Jones shot a 30 on his back nine Friday and finished with an 8-under 64 to match the course record, giving him a share of the 36-hole lead with fellow Australian Jason Day in the Puerto Rico Open.
Day, a rookie on the PGA Tour last year who failed to live up to his hype and wound up losing his card, had a 68.
Jones tied the course record set last year by Bo Van Pelt in the inaugural event.
They were at 10-under 134 after handling the swirling wind and occasional rain at Trump International Golf Club along the island’s northeast coast.
Bart Bryant, whose victories include the Memorial and Tour Championship, was a shot back after a 68.
The four players at 136 included Estanislao Goya, a 20-year-old Argentine who received a sponsor’s exemption. He shot a 67 and was in good position going into the week at his first PGA Tour event.
The Puerto Rico Open, which has a $3.5 million purse, is being held opposite the World Golf Championship at Doral, which has attracted the best players from around the world.
Some thought Day would join the elite in golf when he won a Nationwide Tour event at age 19. But he struggled last year as rookie, finishing 136th on the money list and failing to make it through Q-school.
Two dozen players were separated by four shots going into the final round, a group that included Charles Howell III and 18-year-old Tadd Fujikawa, both at 6-under 138. Howell had a 69, and Fujikawa shot a 68.
Fujikawa has made the cut in all three PGA Tour events he has played this year.
Wind and rain were expected to continue through the weekend on the 7,526-yard tropical course.
Among those missing the cut were Erik Compton, who had his second heart transplant last May. Compton made the cut last week in the Honda Classic, tying for 44th. He had rounds of 77-73.
