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RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico — Joe Highsmith did his greatest to create some separation within the Puerto Rico Open on Friday, making a pair of late birdies to get the lead earlier than darkness prevented the rain-delayed second spherical from being accomplished.
Highsmith, the 23-year-old rookie who starred at Pepperdine, was at 13-under par. He’ll return to Grand Reserve on Saturday morning to complete his final three holes.
He was one shot forward of six different gamers who had already accomplished their rounds, a gaggle that included Rafael Campos (67), Matti Schmid (65), Kevin Streelman (67) and Ryo Hisatsune (67). They had been at 12-under 132.
The strain is squarely on Campos, the 35-year-old from Puerto Rico looking for his first win on the PGA Tour.
“I’ve quite a lot of strain, quite a lot of stress on the market, however fact is I attempt to actually clean out and probably not take note of what is going on on in my surrounding,” Campos mentioned. “Clearly, I do know what they need on the finish of the week and it could be my dream as nicely. However I am simply attempting to truthfully hit the subsequent shot and sort of play sensible.
“I really feel the sport’s in a very great spot proper now. It is simply harder right here in Puerto Rico simply realizing I wish to win.”
Hisatsune, a 21-year-old tour rookie from Japan, already has three titles in Japan and one on the European tour.
The primary spherical was delayed by rain, and when it was accomplished on Friday morning, there was an eight-way share of the lead. That was essentially the most on the PGA Tour since 9 gamers shared the lead at Riviera within the 2011 Northern Belief Open.
Highsmith was a part of that group. He started the second spherical on the tenth gap with a birdie, made the flip with an eagle and had three birdies on the entrance 9 till play was suspended.
Streelman is essentially the most skilled participant of the contenders with two PGA Tour victories. One other former winner is Brice Garnett, who had one other 66.
Garnett received within the Dominican Republic in 2018, one other opposite-field occasion. However he slipped to No. 163 within the FedEx Cup final yr and has low standing (previous champion). Given the best way this yr has gone, the Puerto Rico Open was the primary event he may play.
“I used to be working with my coach, John Tillery, final week and I informed him that is my Augusta proper now,” Garnett mentioned. “That is my week to get within the shuffle and possibly get just a few extra occasions someday later within the yr. Got here in motivated, got here in with my recreation sharp and it is paying off.”
Defending champion Nico Echavarria of Chile had a 67 and was at 9-under 135.
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