Coming off a course-tying record 60, Rod Pampling fired a 3-under 68, and continues to lead at the Shriners. Only one stroke behind Pampling is Brooks Koepka, who is at 13-under.
Aaron Wise, at 12-under, is in the hunt, but has not officially ended his round. Chris Kirk, who was the 54-hole leader at last week’s Sanderson, is alone in fourth at -11, while a threesome of James Hahn, Keegan Bradkley and Pat Perez are tied for the 5th spot at 10-under.
Here’s a roundup of quotes from the top 5 after the day number two at TPC Sumemrlin.
Rod Pampling -14
“The hole looked really big yesterday, and I started out today, and I didn’t think they’d cut them early on. I changed ball markers, and I knew I was playing good, so I just kind of threw out a new vibe, and it started to work. I knew it wasn’t bad, it’s just like it happened, so just let it go, and yeah, corrected myself and played nice after that.”
Brooks Koepka -13
“Obviously the putter. I just feel like I’ve made a bunch of putts. I don’t know how many putts I made today, but I made quite a bit, and I just need to put the ball in the fairway. It seemed like we were a foot off on a couple holes, and out here you can’t be in the rough. Just tighten up the driver and see where we get.”
Chris Kirk -11
“I enjoy it. I’m not a big gambler, but I do definitely enjoy coming here. The weather is great, obviously, and I kind of like Phoenix a little bit, I enjoy coming to visit the desert and playing desert golf for sure.”
James Hahn -10
ome of the things you like to do when you’re here, away from the golf course?
“It’s great. Greens are rolling fast. Fairways are nice and firm. It’s definitely a premium to hit the fairways. The rougher, you’re getting some fliers, so it’s hard to adjust how far they’re going with the altitude. You know, it’s playable, a lot of low scores. I didn’t see 11-under out there yesterday, but apparently there is one.”
Keegan Bradley -10
“Yeah, my game feels really good. I’ve been playing good for a while now. It’s nice to see some results. I’ve been working with my coach Darren May back home and putting a lot of work in, and some changes, and they’re finally coming together.”
Pat Perez -10
“There was some rust a little bit. I had it going. I hit it good. Made some good putts, missed some easy ones, but it’s hard to do around this course. But just excited to get back. It’s really nice. I played good on the weekend in Malaysia, and I carried it over here. I got nervous over here because it’s a little different. You know you’ve got to shoot low, and I’ve played at home a lot, but it’s just awesome to be back and see some putts go in and hit some shots where I think they should go and hit it long. I’m really excited by it.”