Jerry Kelly shot an even par 70 at Firestone Country Club, and will take a three shot lead into the weekend at the Senior Players Championship.
Kelly, who was among four players sharing the overnight lead, matched two birdies against two bogeys on Friday to remain at 2-under par through 36 holes. The 53-year old Wisconsin native is the only player in the 80-player field with a two-round score in the red.
“You get out of position here, you’re in deep trouble and that’s what it’s like in a major. That’s why I haven’t done that well in that many majors,” joked Kelly. “It’s definitely harder to get back in position.
“I didn’t strike it very well today. I didn’t hit fairways like I normally do, so I think if I get back to hitting the fairways, it’s a very playable golf course.”
Steve Stricker and Rod Pampling, two of those who were tied for the first-round lead with Kelly, matched 3-over 73s to fall into a tie for second-place, alongside Robert Karlsson (71) and Colin Montgomerie (69).
Miguel Angel Jimenez, the other early leader, carded a second-day 74 to join a seven-player logjam at T6 on 2-over par.
Top-5 Leaders
Pos-Player-Score (Today)
1. Jerry Kelly -2 (E)
2. Robert Karlsson +1 (+1)
2. Colin Montgomerie +1 (-1)
2. Steve Stricker +1 (+3)
2. Rod Pampling +1 (+3)
Shot of the Day
A chip-in to save par on the par-3 12th hole… “Oh, yeah the chip-in on 12, that was awesome. I saved great bogeys,” said Kelly.
That’s one way to save par. ?
What a save by @JerryKelly13PGA. pic.twitter.com/qQNsmZimUy
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 14, 2020
Question For Kelly
Q. Any aches, pains?
KELLY: “Hitting the root on 16 was not fun. It’s the elbow that I had torn. It caught me in a different spot, it caught me on top. It’s swollen, but I’ll just put some ice on it and I should be fine.
“It’s clicking, but it’s not hurting. It’s playoff hockey.”
