Children's Miracle Network Classic round two: Verplank fails to shut the door

Some careless headline writers got ahead of themselves after round two, trumpeting that Scott Verplank “took charge” of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. Quite the reverse. When he had the chance to slam the door firmly shut he left it wide open with a sign on the handle saying ‘By all means disturb’.

Punters must have been rubbing their hands after his electrifying start to the second round. Six birdies in his first nine holes had them scrambling to chase his price down to 2.8. Nine holes and nine pars later he’s back up to 5 with a gaggle of likely usurpers in his wake. Verplank blames the stiffer, less predictable wind that kicked up in the afternoon for his problems and, because it was a pro-am, says he really wasn’t thinking about it too much.

Whatever the reason, it leaves the match finely poised heading into the serious stuff over the weekend. Verplank has undoubtedly got back in touch with his putter and that’s a big plus as the sun and light wind predicted over the next two days dry the Magnolia course up a little.

The soggy conditions so far have contributed to a confusing pattern of stats suggesting players have taken very individual ways to success. For Verplank finding fairways was a big element, for Tag Ridings a shot back it was bombing it along the track, and for Stephen Ames, who came within a whisker of shooting 10 under, it was a bit of both. But it’s already clear how important putting is going to be and that’s why Justin Leonard is looking particularly threatening. He tops the table with his flat stick and is sixth for accuracy off the tee and 14th for reaching greens. A pair of eagles tell us Sean O’Hair is also getting back to something like his old self, if only he can put some shine on his putter.

So slight advantage Verplank and he’s certainly capable of keeping things nice and low over the next two rounds. But with more than 30 players within five shots, expect the unexpected.