NEW ORLEANS, April 29 Reuters) - American Bubba Watson eagled the par-five 11th for a second consecutive day on his way to an early one-shot lead in the second round of the New Orleans Classic on Friday.Co-leader overnight with Australian Matt Jones, the long-hitting Watson fired a four-under-par 68 in dazzling sunshine at the TPC Louisiana where the greens firmed up and the wind strengthened for the later starters.
The 32-year-old from nearby Bagdad in Florida also recorded three birdies and a lone bogey to take control of the PGA Tour event with a 10-under total of 134.
American Josh Teater, a rookie on the circuit last year, briefly got to 11 under before double-bogeying the last for a 66 and second place in the clubhouse.
John Rollins carded a 69 to lie third at eight under, a stroke in front of fellow American Jason Dufner (69) and Australians John Senden (67) and Jones (71).
Watson, who clinched his second PGA Tour victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January, was delighted to be heading into the weekend in contention for another title.
"This is what we strive to do," the left-hander told reporters. "We always want the pressure. We always want the nerves, the butterflies. We're trying to win golf tournaments.
"I've gotten lucky enough to win two so far and I'm trying to go for my third. It would be nice to pull it off here in New Orleans ... two and a half hours away from where I grew up.
"I've just putted really well, hit a lot of good tee shots and stayed out of the water as much as possible."
WEEKEND STRATEGY
Asked if his strategy would change for the weekend, Watson replied: "No. If I could play the same the next two days, I have a great shot at winning."
On Thursday, Watson eagled the 11th after hitting a booming 343-yard drive followed by a soaring six-iron over a cypress tree that landed 32 feet from the pin.
On Friday, he eagled the same hole after belting his tee shot 329 yards down the fairway, striking his second from 244 yards to 20 feet and coolly knocking in the putt.
"Yeah, that hole was good for me," he said with a smile. "I hit two good shots. The fairway and tee shot was a little scary for me but it worked out today."
British world number three Luke Donald, beaten in a playoff for The Heritage on Sunday, was hot on Watson's heels with seven holes to play before losing momentum.
Eight under overall, Donald bogeyed the third, his 12th hole of the day, and then double-bogeyed the fourth before carding a 71 to end the round five strokes off the pace.
"You're going to make a few mistakes occasionally," said the Englishman who could become world number one with victory this week. "Up until then I played pretty solid golf.
"Through 29 holes, I only missed a couple greens. But I'm still there or thereabouts and the greens are only going to get firmer. It will be a tough weekend."
The cut was projected to fall at even-par 144 with American former world number one David Duval and U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland likely to miss out.
The 32-year-old from nearby Bagdad in Florida also recorded three birdies and a lone bogey to take control of the PGA Tour event with a 10-under total of 134.
American Josh Teater, a rookie on the circuit last year, briefly got to 11 under before double-bogeying the last for a 66 and second place in the clubhouse.
John Rollins carded a 69 to lie third at eight under, a stroke in front of fellow American Jason Dufner (69) and Australians John Senden (67) and Jones (71).
Watson, who clinched his second PGA Tour victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January, was delighted to be heading into the weekend in contention for another title.
"This is what we strive to do," the left-hander told reporters. "We always want the pressure. We always want the nerves, the butterflies. We're trying to win golf tournaments.
"I've gotten lucky enough to win two so far and I'm trying to go for my third. It would be nice to pull it off here in New Orleans ... two and a half hours away from where I grew up.
"I've just putted really well, hit a lot of good tee shots and stayed out of the water as much as possible."
WEEKEND STRATEGY
Asked if his strategy would change for the weekend, Watson replied: "No. If I could play the same the next two days, I have a great shot at winning."
On Thursday, Watson eagled the 11th after hitting a booming 343-yard drive followed by a soaring six-iron over a cypress tree that landed 32 feet from the pin.
On Friday, he eagled the same hole after belting his tee shot 329 yards down the fairway, striking his second from 244 yards to 20 feet and coolly knocking in the putt.
"Yeah, that hole was good for me," he said with a smile. "I hit two good shots. The fairway and tee shot was a little scary for me but it worked out today."
British world number three Luke Donald, beaten in a playoff for The Heritage on Sunday, was hot on Watson's heels with seven holes to play before losing momentum.
Eight under overall, Donald bogeyed the third, his 12th hole of the day, and then double-bogeyed the fourth before carding a 71 to end the round five strokes off the pace.
"You're going to make a few mistakes occasionally," said the Englishman who could become world number one with victory this week. "Up until then I played pretty solid golf.
"Through 29 holes, I only missed a couple greens. But I'm still there or thereabouts and the greens are only going to get firmer. It will be a tough weekend."
The cut was projected to fall at even-par 144 with American former world number one David Duval and U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland likely to miss out.
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