Jimmy Walker With Another 54 Hole Lead At Sony Open
By Les Bailey
Aug 7, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; PGA golfer Jimmy Walker tees off on the tenth hole during the first round of the 2014 PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jimmy Walker walked off the Waialae Country Club on Saturday afternoon at the Sony Open Championship with his second 54-hole lead in as many weeks. The big question on the defending champs mind, can he close this one out with a win? After what we saw last week on Maui, and this morning in Abu Dhabi, 2015 is starting out to be the year of blown leads.
For Jimmy Walker, it happened last week at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions when he bogeyed away a 54-hole lead, and lost to Patrick Reed in a playoff. For Martin Kaymer, it was a 10 stroke lead that was beaten by an unknown Frenchman on Sunday in Abu Dhabi.
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Jimmy Walker
Jimmy Walker fired an eight under par 62 on Saturday afternoon, and took a two-shot lead to the clubhouse after three rounds at the Sony Open. He will tee it up in the Sunday finale’ with 36-hole leader, Matt Kuchar.
The defending champ ended his third round with eleven consecutive one-putts, that rendered eight birdies, and saved a bogey at 17.
Walker leaned on swing coach, Butch Harmon after the meltdown at Kapalua last week where he switched to the defensive mode of play too soon, and let a win get away on Monday.
"“He’s like, I know it hurts and it’s going to hurt, and it should hurt. You should be mad,” Walker said. “You try to take as much positive as you can out of the situation and try to figure out what you could have done different. But we liked what we did. It just didn’t work out.“It’s nice to get back right where we want to be, having a chance to win, especially after last week. I think it’s pretty cool.”"
The key to Walkers success in Hawaii has been the ability to shoot 17 rounds in the 60’s and is 37 under par during that span. With the consecutive one-putt run, he led the field on Saturday in Strokes Gained Putting at a 4.8 level. He could be the third player in history to repeat on Oahu if he can get this one to winners Circle on Sunday.
"“I wish I knew,” Walker said, when asked about the key to his success in the Aloha State. “I’ve always enjoyed coming here. I think this is one of the best golf courses we play. It shows what a good golf course is, and what it doesn’t have to be.”"
The Chasers
Matt Kuchar survived Moving Day at Waialae, and will play with Walker on Sunday after a very mediocre two under par effort. Kuchar made the turn at even par, an makes the final group, making two birdies on the home stretch.
Troy Merritt had a nice start on Saturday, and had the outright lead after making the turn at three under par. The back nine(the tougher of the two nines) wasn’t nice to the youngster. A birdie at 18 gave the 29 year-old Iowan a share of third place.
Merritt will play alongside Brian Harman on Sunday in the next to last group. Harman fired a six under par 64 on Saturday to climb eleven spots on the leaderboard. If this kid can get it going on Sunday, he is well within range for a win if the leaders stumble out of the gate.
They are calling for low winds on Oahu for Sunday afternoon, and with five players being within five shots of the lead, this could turn into a huge shootout.
"“You’ve got the ability to shoot an 8- or 10-under round out here,” said Matt Kuchar, who will start the day two back. “I’m guessing six off (the lead) is still in it.”"
Source: PGATour.com