Saturday, January 12, 2002
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Cook firing on John Cook showed the youngsters how it's done.
all cylinders
The 1992 Sony Open champion
sets a 2-day course recordBy Paul Arnett
parnett@starbulletin.comA decade after winning here on a course that has undergone more face-lifts than Liz Taylor, the 46-year-old fashioned a 62 yesterday morning to take a three-shot lead over Jerry Kelly entering today's third round of the $4 million Sony Open.
Cook is 10-under-par over the last 19 holes, thanks to an eagle on the par-5 18th on Thursday that put him one shot back of first-round leaders Kenny Perry and Chris Riley. Tying a Sony Open record for the lowest two-day total (128), Cook has a three-shot lead over Kelly, who followed Thursday's 66 with a 5-under 65 yesterday for a two-day total of 131.
These two are not strangers. Last August, Kelly had a six-shot lead over Cook entering the final round of the Reno-Tahoe Open. In fact, Kelly wasn't even concerned with Cook. He held a one-shot advantage over Bryce Molder to lead after 54 holes. Cook went out early and posted a 64 to beat Kelly by one shot.
"I tripled 16 and lost by one," Kelly said. "My caddy just said, 'We got Cook.' (The two will be paired today). I really like him a lot. But I just did that to myself. I congratulated him when I walked off the 18th."
Kelly is still looking for his first win, while Cook is in search of his 12th. Cook played well enough at the Mercedes Championships last week to place 28th and earn a $55,000 paycheck. A 78 during the wind-blown third round kept him from finishing higher.
"Last week I was a little rusty, but it was tough with the conditions," Cook said. "I actually hit the ball really well last week, so I wasn't discouraged about my play, but I was just blind on the greens. I might as well have been putting left-handed, it was pitiful.
"This week, I seem to have a better feel, a better look, maybe I know these greens a little bit better and I have made some nice putts. I feel good with the putter. I have hit a lot of good shots."
So much so, Cook flirted with a 59. He just missed a birdie putt on the par-4 eighth (his 17th) that would have put him 9-under for the round. Get an eagle on the par-5 ninth and Cook finishes with a 59.
"I thought if I made the putt at eight, then nine would be very interesting," Cook said. "But nine is playing straight into the wind and I would have had to hit my two best to get in there. I just left the putt on eight. I mean, if it had another roll it would have gone in and on nine I just misread the putt."
Would he have gone for the green in two had he birdied the eighth?
"Absolutely, absolutely," Cook said with emphasis. "You don't get that many chances (at 59). I was thinking that, but only after number eight. If that goes in, then it might be fun. But it was just too short."
Cook and Kelly are not alone on the leaderboard. Another shot back, tied for third, are Riley and Brad Elder. Riley followed his opening act of 65 with a solid 67. Elder came from back in the pack with an afternoon effort of 64 to tie Riley at 132. Rounding out the top five are Fred Funk and K.J. Choi at 133. Choi and Funk fired second-round 65s.
"Nothing stellar," was how Funk described his round. "Really just good finishes on either nine is what I've done. I'm really not hitting the ball all that solid."
Such was not the case for Riley. Playing his collegiate career in Las Vegas, he knows all about the wind. But yesterday, there were only light trades, allowing plenty of golfers to get back into the hunt, including Charles Howell III. He followed his 72 on Thursday with a 62 yesterday to put him in a tie for seventh.
"It was easier today, most definitely," Riley said. "I played a lot better (Thursday), but I'm pretty happy with where I am sitting. If 3-under (67) is one of my bad rounds, then I should be in pretty good shape."
The cut came at even-par 140. Notables making the grade were Scott Hoch (134), 1998 Hawaiian Open champion John Huston (134), defending champion Brad Faxon (135), 2001 PGA champion David Toms (135), 1996 Hawaiian Open winner Jim Furyk (135), 1999 Sony Open champ Jeff Sluman (135), Tom Lehman (136) and recent Mercedes Open winner Sergio Garcia (137).
Scott Simpson (141), Jeff Maggert (141) and Davis Love III (142) did not make the cut.
