NAPA, CA – Ben Griffin did his enterprise on Friday, like he was at different PGA Tour stops, even with so many Ryder Cup teammates round him. He performed bogey-free for the second day in a row at a 6-under 66, constructing a three-shot lead within the Procoll Championship.
The 2 “Cup” gamers have been behind him. Considered one of them is Ryder Cup rookie Russell Henry (68), and the opposite Jackson Koivan, a top-ranked beginner who led the Individuals to a Walker Cup victory final week at Cypress Factors 3-1.
Koivun hit a 30-inch from the Eagle’s three-iron on the par 5 on the twelfth, then hit a tee shot on the 14th, retrieved a bogey, bounced off a birdie and rolled it up with a 66.
Henry lives in Columbus, Georgia. That is about 30 miles from Auburn, the place Kovrun enters third grade, and we all know one another effectively.
“I met Russell Henry on the vary and informed me I used to be going to catch him,” Kovrun mentioned, “That was my goal.”
They tied three behind a 130-under Griffin.
US Open Champion JJ Spaun, who additionally joins Bethpage Black, was effectively suited to the 68, 5 pictures behind alongside Lanto Griffin (70).
Silverado has 10 gamers on the American crew, with Captain Keegan Bradley checking in every part. The victory was to compete and maintain so many American gamers sharply, in contrast to two years in the past, when many went in a month with out competing earlier than the Ryder Cup.
“I do not even say my thought is the Ryder Cup. I have been focusing fairly a bit on this golf event,” Griffin mentioned. “I positively had a Ryder Cup presence, wandering round with the fellows from the golf course, however after I get to the primary tee I believe I am making an attempt to play effectively right here.”
That half goes effectively. Griffin dealt with three par 5s on the again 9 and hit a wonderful tee shot on the left pin on a sudden par 3 second bunker.
He’s one among 4 Ryder Cup rookies, together with Henry, Spawn and Cameron Younger.
Scotty Schaeffler had some birdies than the opening spherical. When he did not hit it the place he was aiming and settled on a Ho-Hum 68 with eight pictures left, he had as many birdies as he did not hit it. Schaeffler hasn’t gotten any worse than his eighth place since March.
Henry performed with Schaeffler and Span, holding him again to a 3-putt bogey from 45 ft on a par-4 third gap, transferring up the board on scoring day till he could not return up and down from the left of the par-3 seventh inexperienced.
Nonetheless, his placing was nice and his time together with his teammates obtained even higher off the course.
“Having the ability to play on a crew is a dream come true, and taking part in with two teammates this week was actually cool throughout these first two days,” Henry mentioned. “We positively have lots to consider, however we’re making an attempt to ensure it is a well-prepared week.”
Henry and Scheffler joined 2-1 within the Presidential Cup and have been grouped collectively within the follow of this event and weekday rounds.
Spaun did not really feel badly sharp, however he mentioned he was “scraping it down” to submit a rating.
“It wasn’t nice, nevertheless it wasn’t horrible,” Spaun mentioned. “I imply, I used a extremely good iron shot and made some putts exterior 3 ft and known as it a day.”
That is not the case for Griffin.
About two hours after he completed, Griffin was the one particular person on the follow inexperienced on a beautiful summer season summer season day in Napa.
“This week I am actually making an attempt to do the identical factor as me,” Griffin mentioned. “I am making an attempt to remain assured, keep motivated and maintain my pedals down.”
All however one among Silverado’s Ryder Cup gamers haven’t confronted 36 holes cuts for the reason that British Open. Sam Burns and Patrick Cantray have been good for the reduce line after they have been completed.
