HONOLULU – Chris KirkThe only semblance of normalcy in this years Sony Open was the lead.
Jordan SpiethFriday started with a share. After missing the cut, he walked off Waialaes 18th green in minor shock.
I felt that I had a really poor deck of cards today, stated Spieth. He was the first player since. Matt EveryBay Hill in 2020 to be part of the 18-hole lead and an early exit. It was an odd, strange day.
After opening with a 64, he had a 5-over 75.
Rory SabbatiniHe birdied the 18th hole and was just one shot behind the leader as he made his way to the front nine. He missed his tee shot. Double bogey. He drove his car into the water at No. 2. Double bogey. He made his second shot on No. He got the same score as his first shot on No. 3. He shot 41 on the last nine for a score of 74, but missed the cut by 1.
J.J. SpaunHe had a good time until the end when a bad swing sent his shot into the canal on Par-5 9. This resulted in a bogey on the easiest of the Waialae holes. He shot 64, and was still 1 shot behind.
Imagine being on the first tee at a PGA Tour event in the middle the Pacific Ocean, and your high school principal watching. Rita Kear, a retired teacher at San Dimas High School was on vacation with her husband.
I saw her on the 1st tee, and I was like, Oh my God, is that Mrs. Kear? Spaun: Small world.
Friday is a strange world, at least away from wild, wacky Waikiki.
Kirk missed just one shot in his round at 5-under 65. This puts him at 11-under 130 for a 1-shot advantage over Spaun. Taylor Montgomery, a rookie on the PGA Tour who is playing his eighth tournament and has only once finished in the top 15.
Montgomery is polite to a fault. It was hard to imagine Montgomery talking about his teenage years at Las Vegas and how he caddied at Shadow Creek. That was just the way it was Friday at Waialae.
Kirk was one the Sony Opens feel-good stories of two years ago. Kirk had quit golf to seek treatment for alcoholism, and depression. He was granted a medical extension. The Sony Open was his last chance for his full card. He tied for second with a 65.
Kirk was tied for first place when he started the second round. He birdied all three holes except No. 6 didnt feel stressed. He can still appreciate the struggle of trying to keep good form every day.
He said, Its so hard to be great at this sport professionally in the mental side. I don’t know if my job was good or not today, but I did a great job on the back nine. I remind myself that pressure is a privilege whenever you feel nerves.
Spieth was unsure of what he was feeling. He was in the mix for the entire day when he went right from the rough to a funky bunker lie. The par-5 ninth is next. It is the easiest birdie on this course, and the ball is now sailing straight towards the canal.
With his left leg on the cart path, he took a dip near the red hazard line. He could have used a tree to provide additional relief, but then he was worried about his left leg slipping and his ball wouldnt fade as he wanted. He had to putt 10-foot for bogey.
It felt like this happened every day.
Spieth stated that he had never missed the cut in a tournament he was leading. Just got the ball in the wrong places at the wrong times.
Because of darkness again, the cut wont be made officially until Saturday morning. But it will be at 2-under138. Davis ThompsonHe was 2 under and faced an eagle shot from just below 60 feet. Hell be there for the weekend as long as he doesn’t four-putt. It was probably a good decision to wait, considering Fridays performance.
