Date: June 28, 2008
Author:

Jones surges into contention

Australia&aposs Matt Jones has fired a superb nine-under 63 to move into contention at the halfway point of the Buick Open. Jones shot five birdies and two eagles on his way to the best round of the tournament at Grand Blanc&aposs Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club. The 28-year-old New South Welshman is three shots off American Bo Van Pelt, who followed up his opening round 64 with a solid 66. Van Pelt, searching for his first championship on the PGA Tour, started on the back nine and birdied five of his first 10 holes before making a birdie on number seven during his bogey-free round. The 33-year-old Van Pelt started the day tied for the lead with Corey Pavin and Dudley Hart, who shot a four-under 68 to be in a tie for second place with Daniel Chopra. Pavin meanwhile had a disastrous round, shooting a 74 to plummet down the leaderboard. Stephen Leaney remains well-placed after his two-under round kept him within touch in a tie for 22nd place. Peter Lonard is a further stroke back after his encouraging four-under par round of 68. Mark Hensby and Brett Rumford are at five-under, while a group of five Aussies, including Rod Pampling and Nick O&aposHern are a shot back at four-under. Sadly the tournament is over for Nick Flanagan, John Senden, Nathan Green, David Lutterus and Andrew Buckle who all missed the three-under cut. Second Round of The Buick Open (Par 72): -14: Bo Van Pelt 64 66 -12: Daniel Chopra 65 67, Dudley Hart 64 68 -11: Woody Austin 66 67, Matt Jones (Australia) 70 63 -10: Fredrik Jacobson 68 66, Bubba Watson 67 67 -9: Ken Duke 69 66, Jon Mills 66 69, Todd Demsey 68 67, Charles Warren 67 68, Nick Watney 69 66 -8: Lucas Glover 70 66, Ryan Palmer 70 66, Todd Hamilton 70 66, John Rollins 72 64, Kenny Perry 69 67, Michael Letzig 69 67, Tom Byrum 67 69, Briny Baird 65 71, Jason Gore 68 68 Also: -7: Stephen Leaney (Australia) 67 70 -6: Peter Lonard (Australia) 70 68 -5: Mark Hensby (Australia) 71 68, Brett Rumford (Australia) 70 69 -4: Steve Allan (Australia) 69 71, Matthew Goggin (Australia) 68 72, Rod Pampling (Australia) 71 69, Nick O&aposHern (Australia) 68 72, Gavin Coles (Australia) 71 69 -3: Tim Wilkinson (New Zealand) 71 70, Jason Day (Australia) 73 68 Missed Cut: -2: Nick Flanagan (Australia) 72 70 -1: John Senden (Australia) 72 71, Nathan Green (Australia) 73 70, David Lutterus (Australia) 73 70 +4: Andrew Buckle (Australia) 70 78