Miguel Angel Jimenez shot a 5-under-par 67 on Saturday and holds a two-shot lead after two rounds of the Cologuard Classic at Tucson, Ariz.
Jimenez stands at 11-under 133 at Omni Tucson National with Jerry Kelly and Jeff Sluman his closest pursuers at 9 under. Gene Sauers and Woody Austin are tied for fourth at 8 under.
Jimenez had seven birdies and two bogeys on a day in which his putting stood out.
“Putter feel good today, much better than yesterday, yeah,” the Spaniard said. “The game is very solid, but the putting today, as I say, I holed a couple of putts.”
Kelly carded six birdies and one bogey while posting a 67. He finished strong with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 before shooting par on 18.
He admitted luck was a factor in his round as he recovered from some rough shots to find himself in good position entering the final round.
Kelly said, “It was a good one on the 18th. I was in a divot right in front, so it was a really good shot.”
Sluman shot 69 with four birdies and one bogey. He was tied for the opening-round lead with Jimenez after both golfers shot 66.
On Saturday, Sluman’s short game was a problem.
“I’ve struggled with my putting, struggled with my short game really in the last four, five years and feel like with the money list and the results, it’s apparent that there’s some issue because I can still hit the ball OK,” Sluman said. “I’m very honest with myself where I need to work and what I need to work on, but it’s getting better. That’s about all I can say.”
Sauers had six birdies and two bogeys during a 68. Austin recorded four birdies and one bogey while posting a 69.
Germany’s Bernhard Langer is tied for sixth at 7-under 137 with Australia’s Rod Pampling (70 on Saturday).
Langer is two titles short of Hale Irwin’s PGA Champions Tour record of 45. He fired a 67 thanks to opening his round with three birdies over the first four holes. He had six overall to go with one bogey.
Brandt Jobe and England’s Paul Broadhurst posted the low round of the day, 65. Jobe is tied for eighth place at 6-under 138 with Scott Parel (67) and Marco Dawson (68).
Broadhurst is part of a nine-way tie for 11th at 5 under.
Defending champion Kevin Sutherland carded a 67 and is also at 5 under.
–Field Level Media