KAPALUA – American Robert Garrigus fired a 10-under 63 to grab a one-stroke lead over first round leader Carl Pettersson midway through the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions.
Garrigus played the final three holes of Friday’s second round in four-under to reach 14-under 132 in the season-opening tournament. “My wedge game is exactly where I need it to be,” American Garrigus said.
Garrigus, who has led the tour in driving distance each of the last two years, qualified for this winners-only event in the final PGA Tour event of the year at the Childrens Miracle Network Classic tournament.
Sweden’s Pettersson birdied the last hole for a 67 while Jonathan Byrd also posted a birdie on the finishing hole for a 68 and was another stroke behind. The 32-man field has no cut line.
South Africa’s Ernie Els is also in the hunt after a nine-under 64. Steve Stricker shot a 67 and Italian Francesco Molinari rallied from a bogey-bogey start with eight birdies for a 67. Jim Furyk had another 68 and like Els, Stricker and Molinari is just four shots adrift of Garrigus.
