Van Pelt making most of situation
GRAND BLANC, Mich. — The PGA Tour’s optimistic view of life without Tiger Woods is that it gives unheralded players a chance in the spotlight.
Bo Van Pelt is trying to take advantage.
Van Pelt shot a 6-under 66 on Friday at the Buick Open, making him a career-best 14- under 130 through 36 holes and the second-round leader by two shots.
He missed out on his best chance to win for the first time in seven PGA Tour seasons at the Puerto Rico Open, where he led for three-plus rounds before losing by a stroke to first-time winner Greg Kraft.
“The more I put myself in that position, one of these Sundays is going to be my day,” he said.
Daniel Chopra (67) and Clarence’s Dudley Hart (68) head into the weekend at 12 under, two shots behind Van Pelt.
Woody Austin (67) was another stroke back along with Matt Jones (63).
While some relative unknowns fill the leader board at a tournament expecting to feature Woods before he had season- ending knee surgery, the top players in a lackluster field are failing to dominate.
Jim Furyk (No. 12), Justin Leonard (No. 23) and Kenny Perry (No. 27) are the only players among the top 30 in the world at Warwick Hills, where just nine of the top 50 players in the world ranking are competing.
Perry (67) fared the best of the trio of standouts, trailing Van Pelt by six shots. Leonard (68) was nine strokes back, and Furyk was another shot behind after following up a solid first round with an even-par 72.
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