RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico (AP) - D.J. Trahan birdied the final hole Friday at windy Coco Beach Golf and Country Club for a 5-under 67 and a share of the second-round lead with Nate Lashley in the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open.
Trahan had seven birdies and two bogeys in his morning round.
“When the wind’s blowing like this and a lot of these holes are crosswinds, you really have to pick your lines and just commit and make good, solid swings,” Trahan said. “I felt really good and I was also really committed to each and every shot.”
The 38-year-old player won the last of his two PGA Tour titles in 2008.
“Mentally and physically I’m on the upside of things,” Trahan said. “I was definitely down for a long time. My back was a big issue for me and I let that get to me mentally as well. I was really down on myself and I wasn’t thinking or acting appropriately. I was beating myself up.”
Also playing in the morning wave, Lashley had six birdies and two bogeys in a 68 to match Trahan at 8 under. He’s winless on the PGA Tour.
“The wind, it’s pumping pretty good,” Lashley said. “You’ve got to hit solid shots and hopefully catch a wind gust and then get it on the green and make some putts. You’ve got to stay consistent out there, get it in the fairways, get it on the greens. Otherwise, it can be a long day.”
Roger Sloan, Martin Trainer, Ben Crane and Roberto Diaz were a stroke back in the event that was canceled last year because of Hurricane Maria. Sloan and Trainer shot 67, and Crane and Diaz had 69s.
First-round leader Andres Romero followed his opening 66 with a 73 to drop into a tie for 12th at 5 under.
Rafael Campos, the Puerto Rican player who won a Web.com Tour event in the Bahamas in January, rebounded from an opening 73 with a 68 to move into a tie for 19th at 3 under.
Clemson senior Bryson Nimmer made the cut in his first PGA Tour appearance, following an opening 69 with a 75.
Daniel Berger, at No. 72 has the highest world ranking in the field, was 3 under after a 71.
D.A. Points, the 2017 winner, shot a 72 to remain 1 under.
The winner will receive a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and an exemption to the PGA Championship, but won’t get an invitation to the Masters.
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