J B Holmes remains in control of the WGC-Cadillac Championship despite closing his second round with a double bogey, as Henrik Stenson maintained the European challenge in Florida.
American Holmes had tamed Trump National Doral’s Blue Monster with a stunning ten under par 62 on Thursday, and despite not having things all his own way on day two added a 73 to lead by two on nine under.
Stenson overcame a double bogey of his own at the fourth with four birdies and only one further dropped shot as a 71 moved the former Race to Dubai winner into a share of fourth on four under.
“I'm pretty pleased,” said Stenson. “I hit a lot of good shots out there and made some good putts. All in all, it was a pretty fair reflection on how I played.”
Holmes had been unlucky to bogey the par five opening hole when his second rolled onto the green only to break right and find the water.
The former US Ryder Cup star birdied the second from 12 feet, but again found the lake on the third – this time courtesy of a poor shot – before gaining shots at the eighth and tenth either side of a dropped shot at nine.
Holmes found water off the tee at the 12th only to save par, but failed to get up-and-down from a greenside bunker at the 13th.
Birdies at the 16th and 17th saw the 32 year old threaten to race clear, but he double bogeyed the difficult final hole.
“It's a tough golf course,” admitted Holmes. “It's a fun challenge, so hopefully the course won't get too much firmer and we'll have fun on the weekend.
“I hit a lot of great shots today, but I didn't make as many putts.
“I missed maybe two or three swings yesterday and they ended up being okay, and missed two or three swings today and they went in the water.
“I’m still in the lead, so I couldn't have been that bad. If you had told me that at the beginning of week, I would have a two shot lead after two rounds, I would have said ‘all right, sounds good’.”
American Ryan Moore sits second on seven under after a round of 71, with Australia’s Adam Scott a shot further back in third following a 68.
Stenson was joined in fourth by two-time Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson, who carded two eagles in a round of 69, while Alex Levy, Sergio Garcia and last year’s runner-up Jamie Donaldson ensured a healthy European presence inside the top ten.
World Number One Rory McIlroy, who recovered from an outward 40 to shoot 73 on day one, had another eventful day with six birdies and four bogeys in a 70 which left him in a tie for 11th.
"(I have) another couple of rounds just to try and find a little bit of rhythm,” said the Northern Irishman. “I'm a little behind at the minute but it seems like the scores are quite spread out so if I can get off to a decent start tomorrow you never know."
