Former Pepperdine Star Putnam Leads Humana Challenge

By City News Service:

Michael Putnam held a one-shot lead over five golfers entering Friday’s second round of the $5.7 million Humana Challenge.

Putnam fired a nine-under-par 63 on the Jack Nicklaus Private Course at PGA West Thursday. Francesco Molinari of Italy and Americans Mark Wilson, Blake Adams, John Peterson and Scott Pickney are one shot back at eight-under-par 64.

Four golfers -- including Matt Kuchar, the highest-ranked player in the field -- are two shots off the lead.

The biggest name in the field, World Golf Hall of Fame member Phil Mickelson, is among 22 golfers tied for 89th, after shooting a one-under-par 71 at La Quinta Country Club. Mickelson was at three-under-par through six holes, then had just one birdie for the remainder of the round, with bogeys on the 12th, 14th and 16th.

“Even though this is the worst score I’ve had in months, I’m excited about my game and getting back out” today, Mickelson said.

“I can’t wait to get started again because I just feel like I played a little tight today, kind of steered it a little bit. I’ll loosen up.”

Mickelson later said that his body “hasn’t felt this good in years” and “I have not been able to swing the club this fast in years.”

Putnam was at even par through six holes, then had birdies on the seventh and ninth holes and seven of the first eight holes on the back nine.

“Hit a lot of close shots, a lot of five-, 10-foot putts, but I made all of them, so I’ve got to be happy about that,” Putnam said.

Putnam turned pro in 2005, shortly after losing a bid for the NCAA championship in a playoff when he was playing for Pepperdine.

Putnam’s time on the PGA Tour has been limited because of a combination of lackluster play and a stress fracture to his left wrist while hitting shots on a driving range in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2011.

Putnam’s fellow competitors on the Web.com tour selected him as its Player of the Year in 2013.

Putnam played in 30 PGA Tour events in 2014, making the cut 23 times, with four top 25 finishes and one top 10 finish, tying for fourth in the RBC Canadian Open, matching his best PGA Tour finish. He also tied for fourth in the 2005 Buick Championship.

Putnam’s younger brother, Andrew, is a PGA Tour rookie. He shot a five- over-par 77 at the Nicklaus Private Course and is among five players tied for 150th, 14 shots off the lead.

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