Uresti says hot, leads LaSalle Bank Open by one at halfway  PGA TOUR Staff GLENVIEW, Ill. -- Omar Uresti continued his excellent play on the Nationwide Tour on Friday with a season-best 9-under 63, moving into sole possession of the lead at the $750,000 LaSalle Bank Open.  Omar Uresti missed the Glen Club course record by a single stroke Friday. (Stan Badz/PGA TOUR/WireImage)
At 11-under-par 133, Uresti holds a one-stroke advantage over Chez Reavie (63) and a two-shot lead over Tag Ridings (64), John Riegger (65), James Driscoll (66), Nicholas Thompson (67), Jason Day (69) and B.J. Staten (69). The sub-par round was the latest in a long line of solid performances by Uresti. In fact, he has now posted sub-par scores in 21 out of the last 22 rounds dating back to the opening round of the Athens Regional Foundation Classic. He is a combined 59 under par during that stretch. "Everything is feeling really good right now," said Uresti, who just missed the course record at The Glen Club by a single stroke. "I'm hitting the ball really solid and making a few more putts. Hopefully my game will continue (like this)." Uresti credits practice sessions with swing instructor Butch Liebler and putting guru Stan Utley for his improved play so far this season. "I've been working hard with Butch," said Uresti. "He has been working on my swing and trying to keep me from moving off the ball ... trying to keep me centered. Stan and I have also been working hard on my putting ever since the Shell Houston Open last year." Not only was the putter working for Uresti on Friday -- highlighted by a 20-foot birdie on the par-3 17th hole -- but his overall short game was solid. After a 5-wood from 244 yards left him well short of the green on the par-5 18th hole, Uresti drained a pitch shot from 30 yards for eagle. "My short game has been there for me this year," said Uresti, who hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation. "I hit every fairway today and I only had 24 putts. I guess that's how you get it done." The top spot on the leaderboard isn't unfamiliar territory for the former University of Texas Longhorn. He captured his second career Tour win earlier this year at the Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship -- and has now finished inside the top 25 in six straight events and seven of eight this season. Most recently, he finished tied for 10th place last week at the Melwood Prince George's County Open. "Being in the lead is always nice," said Uresti, currently No. 4 on the official money list thanks to four top-10 finishes. "I played really well last week and if I'd have made any putts I would have given Paul (Claxton) a run for his money." Second-Round News & Notes: The cut came at 3-under-par 141, with 67 players advancing to the weekend. ... At 3-under 141, Miguel Carballo extended his Tour-leading cuts made streak to nine. ... University of Illinois men's golf coach Mike Small, playing on an exemption given by the LaSalle Bank, moved to 6 under to easily make the cut. ... Aron Price posted five consecutive birdies on Nos. 1-5, the best birdie streak in the history of the LaSalle Bank Open. The best streak in the history of the Tour is nine by Omar Uresti at the 1994 Shreveport Open. ... In 11 tournaments in 2007, three players have carried the 36-hole lead on to victory (Skip Kendall, Omar Uresti and Martin Laird). In five tournaments at the LaSalle Bank Open, Chris Couch is the only 36-hole leader to go on to win, doing so in 2005. ... There were 14 bogey-free rounds on Friday (Omar Uresti, 63; Tag Ridings, 64; Garth Mulroy, 65; Roland Thatcher, 65; Jeff Klauk, 66; Kevin Stadler, 67; David Berganio Jr., 67; Gary Hallberg, 67; Jason Caron, 67; Marc Turnesa, 67; Tom Byrum, 68; Jason Enloe, 68; Michael Long, 69 and Sal Spallone, 68), bringing the total for the week to 16. Hallberg is the only player in the field without a bogey through 36 holes. ... The 11 players who failed to complete their opening round did so Friday morning beginning at 7:30 a.m. CT. B.J. Staten and Jason Day held the 18-hole lead at 6 under when play was completed, one stroke ahead of Brad Elder, Jaco Van Zyl, Greg Chalmers and Keoke Cotner. ... Todd Fischer withdrew following the first round. Copyright 2007 PGATOUR.com. All rights reserved. |
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