Potter Tied for 15th at Puerto Rico Open

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Golfer Magazine

Ted Potter, Greg Chalmers and Andrew Putnam made a solid trio at the Puerto Rico Open over the first 36 holes, all three making the top 15 at the halfway mark of the $3 million event in Rio Grande.

Ted's 69-69-138 over the par-72 Grand Reserve Country Club course has him 6 under par and in a tie for 15th; he tees off at 12:40 today in the company of 40-year-old D. J. Trahan. Chalmers added a 68 to his opening 66 and is 10 under, just one stroke behind leader Brandon Wu (66-67-133). Putnam's 67-70-137 is good for a tie for ninth at 9 under.

Ted began on the back nine and made three birdies and two bogeys for a 1-under 35. Like Thursday, he revved it up on the second nine to get it to 3 under, but it could have been much better. He three-putted the sixth hole, missing a three-footer for par with the TV cameras watching, then rimmed the cup with his 15-foot birdie putt on No. 9. It's the third cut he has made in his last four starts.

First-round leader Tommy Gainey imploded after his opening 65, adding a 4-over 76 and is tied for 57th at 3 under. The cut came at minus 1. Two Gators fell by the wayside, Matt Every with 71-76 and Chris Couch with 75-73.

FLORIDA ALUMS ARE HOT:

Former Gators and Seminoles have already accounted for three events on the PGA Tour's 2020-2021 wrap-around season, and at the halfway point of the prestigious WGC-Workday Championship, are in great position to add to the glory.

Seminole Brooks Koepka, who won the Waste Management Phoenix Open, leads after 36 holes with 67-66-133, 11 under par. Gator Billy Horschel, looking for his first victory of the season, is tied for second at 10 under with 67-67-134. Seminole Daniel Berger, who captured the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, has a lot of work to do - he's tied for 43rd with 73-71-144, even par. Gator Brian Gay isn't playing, but early in the season he won the Bermuda Championship. So the Sunshine State players are in good position to make it four victories for the year.

After a poor 77 start Thursday, Dustin Johnson rebounded with 69 for 146.