Padraig harrington, after his first look at SentryWorld, a championship-level golf course in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, said that it was a layout that would be good for a player to catch up. There are plenty of opportunities to score birdies, but also some trouble.
Steve Stricker agrees with this assessment – and he will be doing exactly that in the coming weekend as he looks to catch up to U.S. Senior Open Leader Bernhard Langer by three shots.
Stricker is separated from the top spot by four golfers, including a fellow Madison resident Jerry Kelly. Kelly is tied for third place with Dicky pride and Retief goosen after shooting a 1-under-par 71.
Rod Pampling, the leader of the first round, is alone at 2 under.
Stricker will also be chasing with Kelly, as the two will be paired up together on Saturday at 1:29 pm. ET off No. 1.
Kelly admitted, “Yeah, it’s been a fairytale for us.” It’s really cool. That’s great. We have a lot of fun playing together. “It will make it even cooler.”
Kelly was 2 under par at one stage in the tournament. However, a few bogeys in his front nine (his rear nine) saw him finish just behind Langer and Pampling.
Kelly described the course as “much more penalizing”. It can bite you even on the holes you think are easiest. It makes no difference. You’ll struggle if you end up in the rough. It’s that simple.
“I don’t think that the greens will get easier. The putting is already difficult. The weekend will be a challenge. It will be a test in patience.
Stricker admitted that he had to fight himself during the first round of the tournament in order to finish at 1 over. Stricker acknowledged that he was nervous about being the home state favorite and having a Tour record of consecutive rounds of par or higher on the line. He also admitted to managing his emotions when uncharacteristic mistakes led to large numbers.
He began his second round with four shots behind Pampling.
Stricker started off well on Friday. He played his first 14 golf holes in 3-under par to get within one shot of the leader. Stricker then bogeyed the No. Stricker then bogeyed No. He lost his temper after he hacked out the rough on an offline tee-shot.
Stricker explained his final hole. “I know how important it’s to drive the ball in the fairway, but I didn’t make a good swing with a 3-wood,” he said. “I started out in the middle, but I turned it around. Then I tried sending it to the right. This rough on the left side is the worst I’ve ever seen on the course. My ball was directly down there. All I could manage was to hit a 40- or 50-yard sand wedge.
“I was hoping to get under par, but I didn’t make it.” Again, I am right there. “I’ll have to play a few good rounds this weekend but I’m in the mix.”
Stricker, who shot a 1-under-70 on Friday, is still in the running. He will head into the weekend with a par score for the tournament. He is tied for sixth with Ernie Els, three shots ahead of Langer.
Stricker admitted that he was paying attention to the top players and the position of those in front. Stricker acknowledged that he was paying attention to who’s on top and where the lead is. The key is to be patient. We’re still only half way through the season and there’s a lot that can happen.
You can start it here. On No. 4, I was 3-under for the day. With a sand-wedge in my hand, I have a par-5 next and don’t manage to make two birdies. Or, I probably should have made one. It’s there. You can shoot a great round if you play well and get the ball in the fairway. I’m talking about a 4- or 5-under. But it’s hard.”
(Photo: Tork Mason/USA TODAY) Bernhard Langer at the 10th green during the second round of the 2023 U.S. Senior Open in Stevens Point. Wisconsin. (Photo: Tork Mason/USA TODAY)
Langer, 65 years old, was on fire at times Friday, firing a 3-under-68 and soaring to the top of leaderboard. He made six birdies compared to three bogeys.
The oldest player in the world to lead the 36-hole championship.
Langer stated, “I played pretty well, and I have to admit that it was painful for me when you consider that this happened from 100 yards away. But that’s the game of golf.” The course is fair and challenging, with a good setup. “I’m lucky to be playing well, and I look forward to the weekends.”
Langer has 45 PGA Tour Champions victories. His next win breaks the tie between Hal Irwin and Langer.
Langer has also won 11 majors on the Champions Tour. With a 12th, he would be three wins ahead of Gary Player.
Langer is the only player who has won all five majors in the Champions Circuit.
