Streelman co-leader at RBC Heritage
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Kevin Streelman looks ready to make contending at PGA Tour events a habit, while Brandt Snedeker was poised for an early exit at the RBC Heritage in the rain-delayed second round Friday.
Streelman, who won his first tour title last month at the Tampa Bay Championships, shot a 1-under 70 before the wind picked up at Harbour Town Golf Links. He was tied at 6 under with Charley Hoffman and 34-year-old rookie Steve LeBrun.
Hoffman, like Streelman, followed an opening 66 with a 70. LeBrun shot his second straight 68. Luke Donald and Bill Haas were a stroke back. Donald had a 68, and Haas shot 69.
Ottawa’s Brad Fritsch shot a 69, and is four shots back.
The biggest surprise was Snedeker, at No. 5 the highest-ranked player in the field. Days after leading the Masters on Sunday before faltering, the 2011 Harbour Town winner opened with a 73 and had a 71 Friday to finish at 2-over 144— one over the projected cut line. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., had a 70, also leaving him at 144. Graham Le Laet of Weyburn, Sask., and Calgary’s Stephen Ames each shot a 73, to finish at 147.
Seventeen players were unable to finish. The rain was forecast to continue overnight before the front moves out to sea and brings cooler temperatures — but no rain.
Streelman had three birdies in his first four holes. He added a final birdie on the par-5 15th and parred out to move on top and put himself in contention on the tricky, narrow fairways and small greens of Harbour Town.
The RBC Heritage featured 14 of the world’s top 29 in the field, including three in the top 10 in Snedeker, Donald (No. 6) and Matt Kuchar (No. 9) during a week that’s generally a time for the game’s best to decompress after the Masters.
Windier conditions late in the round kept opening-round leaders from going lower. Brian Davis, who led with a firstround 65, was 5 over on his first nine holes Friday to fall back with a 75. Masters contender Jason Day also couldn’t capitalize after a strong 4-under start Thursday. Day, tied for third at the Masters, had three bogeys on his first 10 holes on the way to a 73.