Cochran holds off Watson, Cook

Russ Cochran was still in command of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship after Saturday’s second round
Russ Cochran was still in command of the Champions Tour’s season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship after Saturday’s second round of this 54-hole event in Hawaii.
The 52-year-old American, coming off a two-win season that broke a winless drought of nearly two decades, shot a second straight bogey free round, this time a 7-under 65, to take his total to a 17-under 127 that matched Don Pooley’s 36-hole record set in 2006 and gave him a two-shot lead over defending champion Tom Watson.
“I started off hitting it pretty good but by missing some shorter putts – and then it seemed like everything bounced my way,” said a beaming Cochran, whose 2010 season featured 11 top ten finishes that included back-to-back victories at the Posco E&C Songdo and SAS Championships in September.
Before that his previous victory was way back in 1991 when he picked up his only PGA Tour victory at the Western Open.
Watson also posted a 65 on Saturday, a birdie on the last taking him to 15-under, which is the identical score he had last year when he led by two strokes heading into the final round.
“If I can hit the ball like I did today and putt like I did yesterday, I might have a chance to catch Russ,” Watson opined. “He’s in a sprint right now. He’s going to be tough to catch.”
John Cook had an especially successful day as he moved up into third place at 14 under. He shot nine birdies for a best of the day 64 that put him one ‘stroke ahead of Jeff Sluman (66) with Tom Lehman (66) and Mark McNulty (67) tied for fourth at 12 under.
“Everybody’s shooting the grass off the golf course and that’s what’s fun,” Cook said. “This is the Champions Tour, not a bunch of schmos trying to play golf. These guys are really, really good.”
The Jack Nicklaus-designed resort course at Hualalai, where the event is being played, was a little windier and warmer than it was for the opening round, but Cochran, who opened with a blistering 62 on Friday, didn’t seem to notice as he steamed around to his 65.
He maintained his dominance during a seven-hole stretch in the middle part of his round when it became clear that he would need another low score to stave off the relentless pursuit by Watson and the charge by Cook.
With son Ryan on his bag, Cochran birdied the par-3 12th where he struck a pitching wedge to get within four four feet of the hole.
Then he opened up a three stroke-lead when he nailed a 20-footer for birdie, but had to be happy with a two-stroked lead for the day after Watson hit back with a birdie at 18.
Latest
-
News
Padraig Harrington expecting ‘serious party’ if Ryder Cup played with crowds
Harrington accepts playing with no crowds would be a better option than another postponement.
-
News
Ryder Cup qualification ‘one of the biggest goals’ of 2021 for Sergio Garcia
The Spaniard is the top points scorer in the competition’s history.
-
News
‘My best is ahead of me’ – Justin Rose motivated by winning majors, not rankings
The Englishman endured a first winless season since 2009 in 2020 and starts this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic ranked 38th in the world.
-
News
Justin Rose concerned about his chances of defending his Olympic title
Rose won gold in Rio in 2016 but the former world number one is currently outside the qualifying places.
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.