NEWS

Hicks breaks out of pack to lead Web. com Tour Championship after Day 2

By PGA.com news services
Published on
Hicks breaks out of pack to lead Web. com Tour Championship after Day 2

McKINNEY, Texas -- Justin Hicks shot a 2-under 69 in breezy and cold conditions Friday to take a two-stroke after the second round of the Web.com Tour Championship.

The top 60 on the money list qualified for the season-ending event at TPC Craig Ranch, and the final top 25 will earn 2013 PGA Tour cards. At 11th on the money list, Hicks has already wrapped up a tour card.

Hicks leads the field in fairways and greens in regulation, hitting 24 of 28 fairways and 30 of 36 greens.

"I'm just trying to hit a lot of fairways and greens and hopefully give myself a lot of opportunities and get one or two to fall," Hicks said "On a demanding golf course like this, greens in regulation are going to be a key to guys playing well, I think. And lucky for me, between the conditions and the golf course, it suits a guy that's going to hit a lot of greens."

He had an 8-under 134 total.

"I'm 38 on Sunday and I try not to think about being 12 years from the Champions Tour, but maybe that age has something to do with how patient I've been," Hicks said. "We're already thinking that we have a Tour card coming as part of my birthday gift. But really a strong week here no matter what it is would be a strong way to finish off this season, especially on my birthday."

Justin Bolli and Canadian Brad Fritsch were tied for second. They each shot 71. Fritsch is 21st on the money list, and Bolli 44th.

Russell Henley, the former Georgia player who won the Jacksonville Open on Sunday for his second victory of the year, was 5 under along with James Hahn, Scott Gardiner and Michael Putnam. Henley is third on the money list, Hahn 13th, Gardiner 14th and Putnam 30th.

The winner will receive $180,000 from the $1 million purse.