Garcia makes his move

US Tour
  • April 5, 2014

Sergio Garcia carded a seven-under-par 65 to claim a one-shot lead of the Houston Open after Friday’s second round.

The Spaniard carded five birdies an eagle to reach 12-under-par at the halfway mark, one shot ahead of Matt Kuchar (67), who bogeyed his final hole to miss out on a share of the lead.

“When I look at today, I thought if I am able to shoot three, four under I will be happy,” Garcia admitted after his round.

“To be able to shoot seven-under in those conditions was really, really nice.”

Three shots behind Kuchar on eight-under are Jimmy Walker (65), Australian Matt Jones (68), Cameron Tringale (68) and Shawn Stefani (69) in a share of third place.

Another stroke further behind on seven-under are Steve Stricker (69) and Ben Curtis (70).

On a day with strong winds that made low scoring difficult, Garcia hit 13 of the 18 greens and missed just one fairway during his round.

The Spaniard has been in fine form this year, winning the Qatar Open in January and have finished in the top 12 in his last 12 events.

“I do feel like I’m playing nicely,” Garcia added.

“I feel very comfortable with my equipment. I feel comfortable with myself in and outside the golf course.”

Nevertheless, the Spaniard was loath to get into a discussion about a possible victory at the Masters next week.

“We’ve seen how some weeks you can go from missing a cut comfortably to winning the next week or going from winning to missing the cut,” he continued.

“Obviously playing nicely helps, there’s no doubt about that. But every week is a different world.”

Overnight leaders Bill Haas and Charley Hoffman struggled to replicate their fine form from the day before.

Haas stumbled to a two-over 74 to claim a share of 13th place at five-under, while Hoffman posted a four-over 76 to finish on three-under in a tie for 27th.

Both of the first-round co-leaders struggled Friday, as Bill Haas stumbled to a two-over 74 to fall into a share of 13th place at five-under.

Charley Hoffman posted a four-over 76 to fall into a group of players tied for 27th at three-under 141.

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