.png)
Walker shoots low score of 62 / Joseph Harrison’s 63 takes him to second spot
Leapfrogging several players, American Danny Walker fired the day’s low score of 62 and in the process seized the lead at the Osprey Valley Open at TPC Toronto. Meanwhile, fellow compatriot, Joseph Harrison managed to post the day’s second lowest round, carding a 63, enabling him to claim sole possession of 2nd place at -9 under, 2-shots behind Walker.
Friday in the second round of the Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos - CBM Aggregates, Walker built a two-stroke lead over Joseph Harrison at the PGA TOUR Canada event at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s Heathlands Course, shooting a tournament-best score of 62. His round today included nine birdies.
“It was a great day. I just played really solid. I hit almost every fairway, and I think I hit every green,” Walker said. “So, when you play like that it's pretty stress-free, and I didn’t have to force anything. I was able to hit a few good shots and make some putts. It just added up to a great round.”
Starting on the 10th tee in the afternoon wave, Walker got off to a flying start, with a birdie on his second hole – the 561 yard Par-5, 11th hole. After a par on the 12th, Walker went on a run of birdies with 4 in a row from the 13th through to the 16th holes to finish his first nine with a 30 (5-under). Turning onto his second nine, Walker continued his scintillating form, recording 3-consecutive birdies on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd holes. After 5-straight pars, Walker birdied the 9th hole, his final hole of day, for a 32 (4-under). His combined score for the day stood at -9 under, an impressive round with a blemish free scorecard.
“Honestly, everything was clicking today. It was just one of those days where I was hitting the driver well, I was hitting some good iron shots and the putter felt great,” said Walker, who has 26 career Korn Ferry Tour starts between 2019 and 2020. “So, when everything feels good you’ve just got to get out of your own way and not think too much and just let it happen, which I think I did a good job of today.”
For Joseph Harrison it was a good morning. Starting on the first tee in the second group out this morning, Harrison moved up 18 leaderboard spots and into sole possession of second place. Taking advantage of an early tee time, Harrison finished at 9-under for the tournament, two shots behind Walker with 36 holes left to play.
The former University of San Diego standout birdied the first two holes and four of seven to begin the day. He added an eagle on the ninth hole to finish with a 30 on the front nine. Meanwhile, birdies on No.14 and No.18 rounded out his day leading to a bogey free round.
“We didn’t have any wind really at all through our first seven holes, which was nice. The complete opposite of [yesterday],” Harrison said. “So, it was nice to hit a couple shots close and take advantage.”
After shooting a 70 in windy conditions yesterday, Harrison posted a 63 under calmer conditions Friday. The Las Vegas resident teed off at 7:40 a.m., and was obviously pleased about how things went with the early start. Harrison said the greens became “crunchy,” fast and a little bit bumpy in the afternoons.
“So, I knew if I was going to make some putts, I would do it early on since being the second group going out,” he added.
Even so, Harrison noted he missed four putts inside of 10 feet. Even so, it hasn’t lessened his confidence heading into the weekend – giving him a boost instead.
“If I continue to hit it well and give myself (birdie) looks, then there isn’t any reason I can’t roll it in,” Harrison said.
Several other golfers are in close pursuit of Walker and Harrison. The nearest is Jacob Solomon at -8 under. One stroke back is a group that includes Parker Gillam, Cooper Musselman, Kieran Vincent, and Joey Vrzich. The top Canadians are James Allenby, Wil Bateman, and Cougar Collins – each sitting in a 8th place with 5 other plays at -6 under.
PGA Tour CANADA Tidbits:
Danny Walker has a victory on PGA Tour Canada. He won the 2018 Freedom 55 Financial Championship in London, Ontario. He opened the tournament with a -7 under 63, and shot a final round 64 to win by two stroked over George Cunningham and Jonathan Garrick.
Through two rounds, Walker has played TPC Toronto's par-5's in -7 under with his only par coming yesterday (Thursday) on the 553-yard, 9th hole.
Canadian Wil Bateman sits in second spot on the season long Fortinet Cup race -- a mere 12 points behind leader Brian Carlson.
Comments