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DALLAS (Reuters) - Former champion Rory Sabbatini took advantage of relatively calm morning conditions at a venue where he enjoys a huge comfort level to charge into contention in the Colonial Invitational second round on Friday.
Winner here in 2007, the South African rattled up five birdies in six holes from the par-four ninth on his way to a flawless six-under-par 64 at Colonial Country Club.
Sabbatini covered the back nine in four under for an eight-under total of 132, leaving him a stroke behind early leaders Steve Bowditch of Australia (64) and South Korean Charlie Wi (67).
"I was just playing smart golf all day," Sabbatini told reporters after putting himself in position to challenge over the weekend for his seventh PGA Tour title.
"On the front nine, I was just missing a few fairways. I really wasn't able to capitalise on some of the holes out there. But on the back nine I started to get the ball in the fairway and gave myself access to some of these flags."
After contending with strengthening winds as a late starter on Thursday afternoon when he opened with a 68, Sabbatini was delighted to face much calmer weather on Friday morning.
"The winds, they were pretty mild today compared to yesterday afternoon so we will definitely benefit playing this morning," the 35-year-old said. "The wind typically funnels around and does some crazy things out there so you are never quite sure what it's going to do.
"This golf course becomes harder to score on the weekend. It just gets firmer and faster. So you got to get yourself in a good position going into the weekend."
COLONIAL COMFORT
Sabbatini, who claimed his sixth victory on the U.S. circuit at the Honda Classic in March, has always enjoyed competing at Colonial Country Club.
"I have played so many rounds of golf on this golf course," he said. "I know it about as well as the back of my head.
"It's a course that I feel very comfortable with and it's a course that I love. It's a good traditional, good classic golf course.
"If I can continue to do what I've done the first two days, continue to hit fairways and give myself opportunities, I will definitely feel comfortable going into the weekend."
Overnight leaders David Toms and fellow American Chez Reavie, who opened with matching 62s, were among the day's late starters.
The cut was projected to fall at even-par 140 with former major winners Trevor Immelman, David Duval, Ben Curtis and John Daly among those likely to miss out.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Winner here in 2007, the South African rattled up five birdies in six holes from the par-four ninth on his way to a flawless six-under-par 64 at Colonial Country Club.
Sabbatini covered the back nine in four under for an eight-under total of 132, leaving him a stroke behind early leaders Steve Bowditch of Australia (64) and South Korean Charlie Wi (67).
"I was just playing smart golf all day," Sabbatini told reporters after putting himself in position to challenge over the weekend for his seventh PGA Tour title.
"On the front nine, I was just missing a few fairways. I really wasn't able to capitalise on some of the holes out there. But on the back nine I started to get the ball in the fairway and gave myself access to some of these flags."
After contending with strengthening winds as a late starter on Thursday afternoon when he opened with a 68, Sabbatini was delighted to face much calmer weather on Friday morning.
"The winds, they were pretty mild today compared to yesterday afternoon so we will definitely benefit playing this morning," the 35-year-old said. "The wind typically funnels around and does some crazy things out there so you are never quite sure what it's going to do.
"This golf course becomes harder to score on the weekend. It just gets firmer and faster. So you got to get yourself in a good position going into the weekend."
COLONIAL COMFORT
Sabbatini, who claimed his sixth victory on the U.S. circuit at the Honda Classic in March, has always enjoyed competing at Colonial Country Club.
"I have played so many rounds of golf on this golf course," he said. "I know it about as well as the back of my head.
"It's a course that I feel very comfortable with and it's a course that I love. It's a good traditional, good classic golf course.
"If I can continue to do what I've done the first two days, continue to hit fairways and give myself opportunities, I will definitely feel comfortable going into the weekend."
Overnight leaders David Toms and fellow American Chez Reavie, who opened with matching 62s, were among the day's late starters.
The cut was projected to fall at even-par 140 with former major winners Trevor Immelman, David Duval, Ben Curtis and John Daly among those likely to miss out.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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