Two-shot leader Rory Sabbatini blasts off the 11th tee during the second round. Photo / Reuters
South African Rory Sabbatini took control of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with five-time champion Tiger Woods lurking close behind after a second round of attrition yesterday.
Sabbatini, while not quite matching his form of the previous day, fired a second successive three-under-par 67 to grab a two-shot lead at
a sun-baked Firestone Country Club. On a punishing layout reminiscent of US Open venues with thick rough and slick greens, Sabbatini birdied three of the last four holes to post a six-under total of 134.
Masters champion Zach Johnson, matching the week's lowest score, surged into second with a sparkling 65. Woods, hunting a third successive victory in one of his favourite tournaments, parred the last 10 holes for a 70 to share third at two under with fellow Americans Scott Verplank (68) and Kenny Perry (69).
Strong-finishing Sabbatini, who tied for second here in 2004, swept to the top of the leaderboard with five birdies and two bogeys.
"It's a matter of picking and choosing your targets out there," said the 31-year-old South African. "There are opportunities where you can be aggressive but you have to kind of back down and give the course respect, otherwise it'll hit you.
"I didn't quite hit the ball as well as I did yesterday," added the four-time PGA Tour winner. "The positive thing I can take out of it is that I did battle and came out on top."
Sabbatini, who had been one of three players tied for the overnight lead, predicted two more 67s would seal him the title. "If I shoot 12 under, I'm winning," he said. "I don't see anybody beating 12 under on this golf course. The way I look at it is I'd take even money right now shooting even par on the weekend. The course is only going to get tougher."
Johnson, who held off a last-day challenge by Woods to claim his first major title by two shots at the Masters in April, conceded conditions were more difficult than in the opening round.
"The wind was probably a little more severe," the 31-year-old American said after piling up six birdies and one bogey. "It was just that I hit the ball a tad more solid today than I did yesterday. Even my misses today were good misses. I can't over-power this golf course and I really can't even attack it, but I can pick it apart."
Of the other big names in the elite field of 82, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh were locked at six over after returning 72s, one ahead of Ernie Els who struggled to a 77.
- Reuters
