By Ron Green Jr. and David Scott
rgreen@charlotteobserver.com and dscott@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Saturday, May. 01, 2010
Today's weather
There's a chance of thunderstorms for today's third round, with temperatures expected in the mid-80s with relatively light winds. The chance of rain diminishes Sunday, with temperatures forecast to reach the upper 80s with higher humidity.
Chip shots
It wasn't much of a week for defending champion Sean O'Hair, who shot 72-77 to miss the cut. It was O'Hair's second missed cut of the year, this one littered with a string of missed putts.
O'Hair spent part of the week working with putting instructor Dave Stockton, who watched the defending champion play part of his second round. His game remains a work in progress, one O'Hair plans to reevaluate during some down time in Orlando, Fla., this weekend.
"It's just been a tough year," O'Hair said. "It feels like I'm on the verge. I'm striking the ball good enough, but the putting has held me back. That was definitely the case (Friday). I didn't make one birdie. That's a tough way to play this course."
O'Hair had 34 putts in the second round and clearly wasn't comfortable with his stroke.
"I tried some stuff that was new," O'Hair said. "It didn't really work out, so it's up in the air right now."
J.P. Hayes tied the course record of 64 held by Bo Van Pelt, Rory Sabbatini and Kirk Triplett and didn't seem all that excited about it. "I don't think I played a whole lot different" from his 74 on Thursday, Hayes said.
Then again, Hayes already has three top-10 finishes this year and is playing with a new comfort on the greens since switching to a long putter.
Charlotte-born Bill Haas is in contention at 3-under (tied for 15th) after shooting a 2-under 70 on Friday. Haas birdied three of his last four holes, including No. 18, where he knocked in a 16-foot putt. He's five behind leader Billy Mayfair.
Australia's Jarrod Lyle made par on No. 18, much of it actually done with his shoes on. He hit his drive just a few inches to the right of the creek that runs up the left side of the hole. So he had to stand in the water to hit his second shot.
He took off his shoes and socks, then rolled his pants up to his knees to hit his second shot. He pitched safely onto the fairway and proceeded - after putting his footwear back on.
Charlotte's Jeff Peck, the Carolina Golf Club pro who qualified for the tournament after winning the Carolinas PGA championship, shot a 6-over 78 on Friday, much better than his 87 on Thursday.
Parker McLachlin withdrew Friday because of a wrist injury.
Paul Goydos on Tiger Woods' six missed cuts in his 241 career starts: "I know it's sacrilegious to say, but it would be just like ( Joe) DiMaggio" and his hitting streak in baseball.
Another Charlottean, Brendon de Jonge, is at 2 under after shooting even-par 72 Friday. He birdied No. 14 to get to 2 under for the tournament, hitting his approach shot within 10 feet of the hole. He made the putt.