Hoey hangs tough, stays in PGA hunt with second 70

MANILA, Philippines — Rico Hoey kept himself firmly in the mix halfway through the PGA Championship, assembling a second straight even-par 70 in gritty fashion Friday (Saturday Manila time) to stay within striking distance of the leaders in a major that has turned into a survival test at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

While the spotlight remained fixed on the game’s biggest stars battling the course’s punishing setup, the Filipino-American quietly carved out a share of 22nd place at four-under 140, only four shots behind the co-leaders heading into the weekend.

Aronimink continued to bare its teeth with treacherous pin placements and slick greens that even World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler described as among the toughest he has encountered, making Hoey’s steady two-day effort all the more impressive.

Alex Smalley followed up his opening 67 with a 69 for a 136 total and a share of the lead with fellow American Maverick McNealy, who rallied with a 67. Hideki Matsuyama also shot a three-under card to join five others at 137, keeping the leaderboard tightly packed entering the crucial third round.

Seven players, led by Ludvig Aberg after a sparkling 66, stood at 138, while Hoey headed a crowded group at 140 – close enough to make a serious weekend charge against the world’s elite.

Hoey’s second round mirrored his opening-round resilience. After battling back from three bogeys Thursday with three birdies over his final 11 holes just to salvage an even-par start, the ICTSI-backed power hitter again showed patience and poise under demanding conditions.

Starting at the 10th, Hoey birdied his opening hole but immediately gave the shot back with a costly three-putt bogey on the next. He later traded another bogey with a birdie on No. 15 to make the turn at one-over on his backside stint.

But he regained momentum at the front side, birdying the first after blasting a 338-yard drive and sticking his approach from 98 yards to seven feet. He struck another superb wedge shot at No. 3, setting up another birdie from inside eight feet to move to one-under for the round.

Hoey appeared poised for an even stronger finish after creating makeable birdie opportunities on Nos. 6 and 7, but missed both from inside 14 feet. The closing stretch, however, exposed the one area that kept him from climbing higher on the leaderboard – his putting.

He bogeyed the par-3 eighth after missing the green and failing to convert a seven-foot par save, then squandered a prime scoring chance on the par-5 ninth. After reaching the hole in two, Hoey needed three putts from 13 feet, settling for a frustrating par that denied him a chance to close with momentum.

Still, despite the shaky finish on the greens, Hoey remained composed and competitive on a course that has rattled many of the sport’s biggest names. His length off the tee and sharp wedge play continue to give him birdie opportunities, and if he can steady the putter over the final 36 holes, Hoey has every chance to make a significant move and contend for what could become a breakthrough major performance.

• Latest
• Trending