Chappell builds lead at Sea Island
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Sea Island seems to be a good fit for California native Kevin Chappell.
It didn’t work so well for the 21-year-old son of Davis Love III, who grew up in the Golden Isles and missed the cut in his PGA Tour debut.
Chappell had no trouble in a steady wind Friday, holing a 35-foot birdie putt early and holing a 45-yard bunker shot for eagle late in his round of 5-under 65 on the Seaside Course that gave him a one-shot lead going into the weekend at the RSM Classic.
Locally, Steve Wheatcroft was at 5-over-par and missed the cut. Brendon Todd is 4-under and tied for 36th place.
Winless in five-plus years and 143 starts on the PGA Tour, the 29-year-old Chappell gave himself another chance in a tournament where he seems to thrive. He was in the final group going into the weekend at Sea Island in 2013, and was four shots behind at the halfway point last year.
“I think this is the third year in a row I’ve been near the last group on the weekend,” he said. “For me, the sight lines work. The wind tends to blow out of one direction. There are a lot of things that are comforting to me and allow me to play well.”
Chappell was at 11-under 131, one shot clear of Freddie Jacobson, who had a 5-under 67 on the Plantation Course, and Kevin Kisner, who had a 67 at Seaside.
Jang leads in Naples: Ha Na Jang shot a 7-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead over top-ranked Lydia Ko in the LPGA Tour’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
Jang had a 10-under 134 total. Ko shot a 67, rebounding from a double bogey and a bogey with birdies on the final two holes. The 18-year-old New Zealander She remains in control of year-end honors, such as player of the year, the scoring title and a $1 million bonus.
Sullivan ahead of pack in Dubai: England’s Andy Sullivan took a one-stroke lead in the DP World Tour Championship, and Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy moved two shots ahead of rival Danny Willett.
Sullivan shot his second straight 6-under 66 at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo was second after a 64, and American Patrick Reed was third at 9 under after a 65.
Scott, Wilson lead Australian Masters: Adam Scott closed with a bogey for a 1-under 70 and a share if the lead with fellow Australian Peter Wilson after the second round of the Australian Masters.
Wilson shot his second straight 67 to match Scott at 8-under 134 at Huntingdale.