Perez still has winning stride
by Tod Leonard, San Diego Union Tribune
LA QUINTA - The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic is like a track event with a staggered start.
By luck of the draw, Pat Perez got to begin his week on the two easiest courses, the Palmer and Nicklaus at PGA West, and shot a record for 36 holes. Now he's having to hold off the strong kicks of the players who are getting in their licks on the same tracks, and so far, it looks like he could go the distance.
Having briefly lost his lead to Tom Pernice Jr. before he'd even started his round yesterday, Perez battled SilverRock, the longest and trickiest in the four-course rotation, to an early draw. Then the Torrey Pines High product rumbled to 4-under on his back nine to record a 5-under 67.
Perez's score of 25-under tied the 54-hole PGA Tour record set by Ernie Els in the 2003 Mercedes Championship, though Els posted his on a par-73 course. Only one other player - Gay Brewer in the 1967 Pensacola Open - has been 25-under after 54 in par-72 efforts.
"I knew it was going to be tough over there," Perez said of SilverRock. "I thought I got out with a pretty good score, and I still got the lead."
Perez opened the tournament with a 61 on the Palmer Course, and that was matched yesterday by Steve Stricker, who made 11 birdies and no bogeys to climb from a tie for 18th to being alone in second at 23-under.
With a 64 on the Palmer, Vaughn Taylor was third, three shots behind. Stricker today gets to play the Nicklaus Course that Perez carved up for a 63 on Thursday. Perez takes on Bermuda Dunes, where he shot 61 in 2003. Stricker carded 65 at Bermuda in Round 1.
And that's what it's come to: Can you top the other guy's score before they all come together for the final battle on the Palmer Course tomorrow? Incredibly, Perez still has to grind just to stay in position to win.
"It's going to come down to the back nine of the Palmer on Sunday," he said.
At 16th in the world, Stricker is the highest-ranked player in the field, and he charged by making four straight birdies and shooting 30 on the back nine of the Palmer. Playing the front nine second, he also birdied three of his last four.
"There was really no 59 watch for me," Stricker said. "It popped in my head for a second, but it wasn't as close as some of the other guys have been here."
LA QUINTA - The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic is like a track event with a staggered start.By luck of the draw, Pat Perez got to begin his week on the two easiest courses, the Palmer and Nicklaus at PGA West, and shot a record for 36 holes. Now he's having to hold off the strong kicks of the players who are getting in their licks on the same tracks, and so far, it looks like he could go the distance.
Having briefly lost his lead to Tom Pernice Jr. before he'd even started his round yesterday, Perez battled SilverRock, the longest and trickiest in the four-course rotation, to an early draw. Then the Torrey Pines High product rumbled to 4-under on his back nine to record a 5-under 67.
Perez's score of 25-under tied the 54-hole PGA Tour record set by Ernie Els in the 2003 Mercedes Championship, though Els posted his on a par-73 course. Only one other player - Gay Brewer in the 1967 Pensacola Open - has been 25-under after 54 in par-72 efforts.
"I knew it was going to be tough over there," Perez said of SilverRock. "I thought I got out with a pretty good score, and I still got the lead."
Perez opened the tournament with a 61 on the Palmer Course, and that was matched yesterday by Steve Stricker, who made 11 birdies and no bogeys to climb from a tie for 18th to being alone in second at 23-under.
With a 64 on the Palmer, Vaughn Taylor was third, three shots behind. Stricker today gets to play the Nicklaus Course that Perez carved up for a 63 on Thursday. Perez takes on Bermuda Dunes, where he shot 61 in 2003. Stricker carded 65 at Bermuda in Round 1.
And that's what it's come to: Can you top the other guy's score before they all come together for the final battle on the Palmer Course tomorrow? Incredibly, Perez still has to grind just to stay in position to win.
"It's going to come down to the back nine of the Palmer on Sunday," he said.
At 16th in the world, Stricker is the highest-ranked player in the field, and he charged by making four straight birdies and shooting 30 on the back nine of the Palmer. Playing the front nine second, he also birdied three of his last four.
"There was really no 59 watch for me," Stricker said. "It popped in my head for a second, but it wasn't as close as some of the other guys have been here."
posted by PatPerezGolf.com at 2:16 AM
15 Comments:
Keep it up brother...
colt
I'm rooting for you!
All I can say after watching that shot on 18 is...inspiration. What a fantastic shot, the announcers are saying "bail out". Not quite. I have been a fan of Pat's for a while., I'm so happy for him and glad to see all that hard work pay off. Congrats from Canada Pat! Let's go get some more.
A Fan for Life
Paul B.
Congradulations P & H.
I was so nervous I took a valium on 13 and had a martini on 17.
I am so happy for you both.
Phone will ring this week with soooo many sponser request. Again,
Congrats guys.
Well Done
Way to finish PP. Been pulling for you. Enjoy. And go get a bunch more.
CONGRATS on a great win today Pat!!!!
Congrats on your first win brother! We're excited for you - many, MANY more to come - the flood gates are now open!
~ Ted Wilson, Alberta CANADA
Double P,
Amazing performace in brutal conditions...way to erase the past with 619 style!
You Stayed classy San Diego and you did through the whole fight today and that was truly the difference from past failures.
Way to stick it to all those Golf Channel - HATERS & Network Critics.
Have fun at AUGUSTA and make the Presidents Cup Team!
Pat:
That's what I am talking about. WINNER!!!
Yeah!!
Great round of golf and great shot on 18. You have many fans in Pennsyvania.
Matt C.
Great ! Pat congrats! overdue and well deserverd.
All the people here in Pa. wished you the best of luck and it worked out.
Great Job.
Matt C.
Congrats on the big win... from a fellow Maiden fan, up the irons!
Pat,
Congrats on the big win. Well deserved. You kicked ass this week.
-Puto Rick
Congrats, Great Job!
Pat you are a winner!
Say Hi to your Dad.
Mario Cesario
Congrats, Pat. I knew marriage would be good for you.
See you this weekend at the Phx Open.
~Warrior~
Congratulations Pat!
You are too good of a player not to have a win on the resume. I know your dad up here in Las Vegas and I know he has got to be damn proud of your win.
Maybe people can focus on your play and not on the other bullshit, if you didnt have the fire in you, you wouldnt be the player you are.
Enjoy the moment and look forward to many more quality tournaments from you in the near future.
Post a Comment
<< Home