09/18/26 02:58:00
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09/18 14:57 CDT Gerard leads by 2 at Wentworth after big finish as Rahm, Reed
and Fleetwood miss cut
Gerard leads by 2 at Wentworth after big finish as Rahm, Reed and Fleetwood
miss cut
VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) --- Ryan Gerard finished eagle-birdie to shoot a
7-under 65 on Friday and take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the
BMW PGA Championship, which will not feature Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood or
Jon Rahm over the weekend.
The No. 21-ranked Gerard moved to 12-under for the week at the flagship event
on the European tour, showing the kind of form that would serve the U.S. team
well at the upcoming Presidents Cup.
The issue for the Americans is that Gerard, who was third at the Tour
Championship last month, wasn't picked by captain Brandt Snedeker for the
12-man roster.
Gerard was bogey-free Friday --- he has dropped just one shot all week --- and
produced a big finish on the back-to-back closing par 5s at Wentworth after
making birdies at Nos. 12 and 13. He rolled in a 20-foot putt for eagle at No.
17 and then reached the green in two at No. 18 before two-putting for birdie.
Adam Scott (67) and Filippo Cello (66) were among the morning starters and set
the clubhouse target that only Gerard surpassed. U.S. PGA Championship winner
Aaron Rai (69) and Manuel Elvira (66) were tied for fourth place a further shot
back.
At the other end of the scoring --- in last place of the 138 players to
complete 36 holes --- was Rahm, whose 78-77 left him on 11 over, 23 shots
behind Gerard in what might rank as the worst of the Spaniard's 228 tournaments
as a professional.
Rahm's 6-over 78 in the first round on Thursday was his highest score in a
non-major since a 78 in the opening round of the Andalucia Masters in 2021. A
day later, he hit his first shot --- a drive at No. 9 --- into a bunker and
went on to make five bogeys and a double on the way to his 77.
The two-time major champion, who finished tied for 23rd at the Irish Open on
Sunday, is one of the biggest stars in LIV Golf, the breakaway circuit that
filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week with debts of more than
$500 million. Rahm was among the leading four creditors listed in the filing.
No. 8-ranked Fleetwood missed the cut, too after shooting 74 following an
opening 73.
Reed, the leader of the Race to Dubai ranking ahead of Rory McIlroy, won't be
around at the weekend for another reason.
The American was forced to retire with an apparent hand injury midway through
the second round. He was 9-over for his round --- and 5 over for the tournament
--- when he chose to stop playing and was seen being driven away from the 10th
tee after hitting his drive.
Reed appeared to be flexing his left hand.
He had two sevens on his card in his second round --- a triple on the par-4
first hole and a double on the par-5 fourth --- as well as another double on
No. 8.
McIlroy shot 67 and was in a five-way share of sixth place on 8 under. Also in
that group was British Open champion Ryan Fox (68) and former U.S. Open
champion J.J. Spaun (66).
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