Sergio Garcia shoots a 7-under 64 to take the halfway lead at the second PGA Tour playoffs event

 Spain's Sergio Garcia plays a shot on the 14th at the second PGA Tour playoffs event.
PHOTO: An 7-under 64 has lifted Sergio Garcia into the lead after two rounds of the second PGA Tour playoffs event. (Getty Images: Jim Rogash)
MAP: United States
Sergio Garcia swooped for an eagle at the final hole on Saturday to seize the second-round lead at the US PGA Tour's second playoff tournament.

The Spaniard rolled in an 18-footer for eagle at the 18th to cap a 7-under 64 and erase the taste of his only mis-step of the day, a double-bogey on the par-four 14th.

Prior to that he carded seven birdies and was in the clubhouse with a one-stroke lead on 13-under 129.

He was a stroke in front of Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who matched the low round of the tournament with an 8-under 63 that featured eight birdies, and American Robert Castro, who notched his second straight 65 for 130.

World number one Tiger Woods carded a 67 that put him in a group of 10 players on 135, while Australia's Adam Scott bounced back from an opening 73 with a 66 for a total of 3-under 139.

Garcia said he considered skipping the tournament, the second of four events in the US tour's season-ending playoffs, but wanted to solidify his place in the playoff points standings, especially after some disappointing showings in August.

Garcia came into the week at 59th in the playoff standings, with the top 70 due to advance to the third event in two weeks and only 30 making the Tour Championship.

"We decided to come here and make a little bit of an extra effort of playing obviously five weeks in a row, which I don't usually enjoy very much," Garcia said.

"The summer has been tough," added Garcia, who has endured a dip in form since the off-course controversy that engulfed him in May over a racially tinged remark involving Tiger Woods.

"It's been a little bit difficult for me. But I'm trying hard to keep going, to keep doing the right things.

"At the end of the day that's the only thing I can ask myself for - give my best effort out there. Some days you feel better than others."

Recently crowned PGA Champion Jason Dufner and fellow American Matt Kuchar were tied for fourth on 132, each posting his second straight 66.

US Open champion Justin Rose headed a group of three players on 133. The Englishman had eight birdies in his 8-under 63 and was joined at 9-under by Americans Jordan Spieth (66) and Harris English (67).

Tight leaderboard with 18 players within five strokes

In all 18 players were within five strokes of Garcia's lead. They included overnight co-leader Phil Mickelson, but only thanks to the British Open champion's ability to hang in when his game deserted him.

Mickelson survived two bogeys and a double-bogey on the back nine to shoot an even-par 71 and join a group of 11 players on 8-under 134.

"I was able to find it there in the end," said Mickelson, who rebounded from his double-bogey five at the par-three 16th to finish birdie-birdie.

He said his finish was a confidence booster going into the last two rounds of a tournament that will end on Tuesday (AEST).

"But more than that it kept me within striking distance," Mickelson said. "I could have easily shot myself out of the tournament."

England's Brian Davis, who shared the overnight lead with Mickelson, could not replicate the magic of his bogey-free first-round 63, carding a 1-over 72 that left him six adrift.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy, without a win in 2013, capped his round with a disappointing double-bogey seven at the 18th. His 71 saw him make the cut right on the number of 1-under 141.

TaylorMade R7 CGB Max Series Review

    I’ve used TaylorMade R7 CGB Max Series for a long time and they helped me a lot in my game. They are game improving and confidence boosting. They are made for the fastest speed, longest distance and highest forgiveness and accuracy. Now let me share my opinions with you here.

    TaylorMade R7 CGB Max line includes R7 CGB Max driver, fairway wood, irons and rescue. They have their own characteristics but share most of the same features. Especially the driver and fairway wood share many technologies. Both of them adopt TaylorMade’s famous Movable Weight Technology (MWT). The use of this technology provides me much convenience. There are three weights provided. R7 CGB Max driver provides change in trajectory of up to 30 yards while the fairway wood can promote change in trajectory of up to 22 yards from side to side. They share the same head shape and back-moved center of gravity (CG). The triangular-shaped clubhead along with back CG gives me fast initial ball speed which leads to increased distance, and the head shape makes it easy for me to launch my ball. I’m able to hit at least 20 yards more with them. Another technology is called SuperFast technology. It is for fast speed of course. The speed is enhanced by decreasing the whole weight of clubs. Both of the driver and fairway wood have long and lightweight shaft for more speed and strength. Their MOI is also very high, and you can hit far and straight shots with them. The R7 CGB Max hybrid also features triangular shape head, superfast technology and high MOI.

It is not enough. Another technology called Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) has been used in the driver and irons. This technology enlarges COR zone for faster speed and more distance on miss-hits. R7 CGB Max irons faces are 100% CNC-milled, combined with the 455 stainless steel offering the highest effective COR. There are four tungsten cartridges positioned at heel and toe which delivers a high MOI and forgiveness. I can achieve fast speed even on miss-hits. It feels so great! If you want to know more about TaylorMade R7 CGB Max Series, just have a try!

© http://xenaallen.blogspot.com/. All Rights Reserved.

TaylorMade 2009 R7 CGB Max Irons 3-9PS Review

TaylorMade aspires to make R7 CGB Max series become the best equipments which are able to enhance professional performance with money, and these R7 CGB Max Irons can realize it. The large clubhead of R7 CGB Max Irons adopted obvious weights to increase MOI, consistency and forgiveness. 2009 R7 CGB Max Irons used cavity back design to save weight, which allowed deeper center of gravity. This helps golfers create higher and farther ball flight. R7 CGB Max Irons adopted SuperFast Technology. The clubhead speed has been enhanced by using ultra-light shaft and light, thin face with high elasticity and high speed. The face of R7 CGB Max Irons is much thinner than the previous R7 CGB Max model. Besides, R7 CGB Max Irons adopted the Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) which is a famous design of TaylorMade. This technology can be obviously seen on the back of the club. Golfers can create ultra-fast ball flight speed even on off-center strike. There is an entirely new concave mark on R7 CGB Max Irons face, providing more comfortable contact feel. For the material, R7 CGB Max Irons used light and thin 17-4stainless steel to provide high speed and tungsten steel weight design on heel and toe.

Combining all the features and technologies, TaylorMade 2009 R7 CGB Max Irons become the longest and most forgiving clubs in TaylorMade irons. In addition, this iron set is also easiest to use in all irons. R7 CGB Max is successful in using various technologies for great performance. R7 CGB Max Irons have beautiful appearance. They are by no means irons that will develop depressing metal sound and look clumsy and ugly. On the contrary, R7 CGB Max Irons are special and striking. They gathered strength and elegance into high-tech. TaylorMade R7 CGB Max Irons set is the model for perfectly combining the design and force.

© http://xenaallen.blogspot.com/. All Rights Reserved.