Chrysler Classic of Greensboro Round Two: Has Davis Love finally worked out how to beat his course?

If the fat lady tried to sing on the Forest Oaks course she’d be drowned out by the howling wind. But she might have a go at Saturday’s close, if recent history is a guide. Since the start of the millennium, at least, the third round leader has invariably gone on to win. The other intriguing factoid is that the winner was also never more than two shots off the pace after round two.

With more wet and windy weather on the way Saturday scoring could be even tougher for our heroes and I doubt the claims of some over-eager commentators that anyone who made the cut is in with a chance. I’m barely looking beyond the top 10 or so.

So just how tough was Friday? Nick Watney finished just one under for the day, yet still went from joint to sole leader. The stroke average was 2.5 higher than Thursday and, although the stats show no huge difference between morning and afternoon sessions, those out last were clearly hit by a late drop in temperature and rise in the wind - no more so than Carl Pettersson who amazingly crashed out.

Watney won’t be able to coast Saturday and our winner could well be among those that showed how to handle Friday’s conditions best. That might well include Ryan Palmer, except that he shot the round of the day Friday at 7 under. How often is a great round followed by a dog?.

Tim Petrovic, Eric Axley and Chris Couch fit our bill well enough but there’s two others worth a special mention.

Greg Owen has been quietly going about his business since throwing away victory with his Bay Hill puttathon. And how about dear old Davis Love III? At last he’s worked out how to play the course fiendishly redesigned just over three years ago by, er, Davis Love III. This is the first time he’s made the cut since then and he is certainly the most experienced guy left at the top. Boy, wouldn’t he be the people’s choice for victory?

There’s just one nagging doubt - Love’s habit of crashing to earth when success extends its inviting arm. Still, at least this time he can’t miss the cut if he does.