JACKSONVILLE (Fla.) — Brett Quigley, Jerry Kelly and the rest of Constellation Furyk & Friends are on top for a simple reason: They’re not getting into trouble.
The players made good early progress and kept their nerve in the last few holes at Timuquana Country Club, which got a lot firmer on Saturday under bright sunshine and increased wind. They will therefore remain in Sunday’s final group.
Quigley only missed two fairways and 4 greens in his second consecutive 67, and he took the lead by one shot over Kelly (68), at 10-under-134.
Kelly was even better than Quigley, as she hit all 14 fairways while missing only two of the greens. Quigley only needed 27 putts, while Kelly required 30. Both players had one bogey.
Stout Group tied for third
There are plenty of other contenders who will step up if they stumble a little on Sunday.
Steve Flesch, who is tied for third with 7 under at the end of his round (67), birdied four out of six holes in the last six. Miguel Angel Jimenez, who is unstoppable and has eagled both 17 and 18 holes, tied for third at 7 under with Steve Flesch (67). The indefatigable Miguel Angel Jimenez (69), who eagled No. 17-hole leader Scott Parel (73) who recovered from a double-bogey on the par-5 third and a fourth hole bogey and Australian Richard Green (69) the medalist of last year’s Champions Tour qualifier tournament.
Quigley has won one Champions Tour title out of 81 starts, but has five top 10s in the last year since he missed the Senior PGA cut. He birdied his first 3 holes and added another on No. The back nine was a solid 1 under par.
He was able to take the lead with a birdie putt of 8 feet at No. After Kelly and Parel went long and left, the 16th hole was played.
The sixth birdie for @Quiggs4
He leads by just one at FurykandFriends. pic.twitter.com/zVvrXOkUpu
— PGA TOUR Champions October 7, 2020
Quigley said, “I’m doing a lot right, playing nice.” His lone PGA Tour Champions win came in Morocco in 2020. “I’ve just got to keep going. I have to keep shooting low here.” We all strive to be in the last group every Sunday… and I’m thrilled.”
Kelly, who has won 11 tournaments on the Champions Tour, faces the risk of losing at least one tournament this season. This is something he has not experienced since turning 50.
He’s also had a good spring and summer, like Quigley. Kelly has had six top 10 finishes since a fourth place in the Regions Tradition in May 14. He also competed in the U.S. Senior Open, and Senior British Open.
Kelly finished seventh in the Pure Insurance Championship, at Pebble Beach. This was his last race.
Kelly said, “I feel really good. I think there’s still a lot of gas left after these two rounds.” If I continue to play the way I am, I think this game will finally start coming around. I am excited to be in position and I’m looking forward to that great shot. “I hope tomorrow is the day.”
Green left-handed bears are watching
Flesch and Jimenez competed in the first Furyk and Friends tournament in 2021. Flesch finished third and Jimenez took winner Phil Mickelson all the way to the edge before losing by just one.
Green is one of the most interesting contenders. He spent most of his time playing golf on the Australian Tour, the DP World Tour, and won the 1997 DP World Tour event. In a playoff, he beat Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam, two other Hall of Fame members.
Green has won three Senior European Tour competitions, including the most recent in June. He won Order of Merit in 2004 on the Australian Tour.
Green almost forced Parel to leave the final trio. Green was eight under par with three holes left to play, but bogeyed the No. The 16th hole was bogeyed and the birdie putts of 12 and 15 foot on the final two holes were missed.
Green hid his disappointment at the end of his race.
He said, “I’ve played well… I’ve putted fairly well on these greens.” “I haven’t been very good on bermudagrass in the past but I putted quite nicely this week.” My speed has been really good. My iron play has been exceptional. “I’ve worked on it a lot in the last few weeks, and I think I have it where I want to be. I can execute shots under pressure.”
Daly withdraws
John Daly withdrew from the tournament after the second round. He had rounds of 76, 78, and 154. He didn’t give any reason to tournament officials.
