February 19, 2016: Luke Donald second round action of PGA Golf during the Northern Trust Open at The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
February 19, 2016: James Hahn hitting out the bunker on 6th hole during second round action of PGA Golf during the Northern Trust Open at The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Los Angeles, CA – The leader board was moving all day even with a later final push by new leader Jason Kokrak (-10 under par). While big names Jordan Spieth, Fred Couples, Sergio Garcia and James Hahn 2015 Northern Trust Open Champion all missed the cut of even par. Kokrak had 5 birdies on the back nine to take the sole lead by 1 stroke.
The course is transforming right in front of the golfer’s eyes from day to day. The greens and fairways have started to firm up in some spots with the sun coming back to like. Dustin Johnson earlier looked like he could be in the clubhouse as your 36 hole leader birding holes 12, 15, 16, and 18.
February 19, 2016: Camilo Villegas in bunker on hole 2 during the second round action of PGA Golf during the Northern Trust Open at The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Riviera Country Club jumped on day one leader Camilo Villegas at beginning of his round. Villegas found himself in ruff on left side on ruff by driving range on hole two for his second shot. The rough grab his club enough to only allow him to catch front greenside bunker dropping double bogey. Villegas finished the day with four bogeys on his card oppose to 9 Birdies the day before.
Dustin Johnson
Jordan Spieth
Hideki Matsuyama
PGA Golf
Jordan Spieth the World #1 rank golfers had a start he couldn’t recover from but always kept a smile. Spieth did manage 8 birdies on Friday but also had 5 Bogeys, to match his inconsistent play this week. As good as he is we will see him back on the top of a leader board in upcoming weeks on a different course.
First-Round Leaderboard
Jason Kokrak 68-64—132 (-10)
Chez Reavie 66-67—133 (-9)
Dustin Johnson 68-66—134 (-8)
Troy Merritt 68-66—134 (-8)
Bubba Watson 66-68—134 (-8)
Marc Leishman 68-67—135 (-7)
Kokrak gave an assessment of his day after a first hole birdie, “Yeah, I got off to a great start, 3- wood, 7-iron. I actually flew it a little past the hole high, but hit a really good shot and kind of set the tone for the day. Hit a lot of good mid-iron shots but you know, made a couple putts.”
The weekend will be sunny and the fans should be treated to some great golf. Spieth will be resting with few others, while this field will look to conquer the length and firming up of the greens.
