Zurich Classic: Swafford And Weekley Lead But Day Threatens

Through two rounds of the last event before next week’s World Match Play Championship, the tournament’s defending champion is in contention in the “Big Easy.” Jason Day was the final man standing at the Match Play last year, and is currently one shot back of leaders Hudson Swafford & Boo Weekley at the rain suspended Zurich Classic of New Orleans. After coming out of the gate a five under par 67 on Thursday, Day was confident that if the weather held up this could be a good week.

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"“Hopefully this weather can skirt us because it will be good to see this golf course if it can dry out” Day said. “Obviously when weather comes in it’s no fun for anyone. I’m just looking forward to the next three days because the golf course is playing very nicely”"

The weather didn’t cooperate on Friday but fourteen holes through round two, Day has already matched his 5-under par round from Thursday. He will return to the course early Saturday morning to finish his four remaining holes in the 2^nd round, and Swafford will be relaxing with his feet up. The former Bulldog was lucky enough to finish his second round before the rain washed away play for the day. He too shot a 67 on Thursday and followed that up with a 66 on Friday, which was no surprise to him.

"“I’ve seen this coming,” said Swafford. “I’m playing really solid golf. I’ve done a really good job of taking on trouble, and not being scared of the bunkers and taking good angles into the pins. That’s what you’ve got to do on a Pete Dye course. It’s not always about having the perfect drive in the center of the fairway, but the best approach shot into the greens because it makes it tough to bend.”"

First round leader Boo Weekley is everybody’s rooting favorite this week. I mean how could you not like Boo? He just doesn’t treat golf like it’s a walk in the park, that’s how he treats life. Well maybe not a walk in the park, it’s more like a camouflage crawl through the woods. Whatever you want to call it the charismatic people’s favorite is still tied for the lead with Swafford fifteen holes through his second round. If he can somehow stay in contention for Sunday things could get really fun!

Going forward weather shouldn’t be an issue so while Day and Weekley will have a tiring Saturday, it’s not going to wreck the tournament. Right now I like the Australian to pick up his second win of the year, but I can’t help but root for Boo. There’s no coincidence that Weekley was on the only victorious American Ryder Cup squad since 1999. His game may not be on the same level it was in 2008, but his attitude is something we need. A win this week won’t even put him in contention for this year’s President’s Cup team, but it will be good for golf.

Quotes from PGATour.com

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