Jeff Gove’s strong finish at The Carolina Country Club Friday separated himself slightly from a bunched leaderboard that should provide for an interesting weekend.
The 27-year-old Seattle native and resident birdied two of his last three holes for a second-round 7 under for a 13 under total after two rounds of the Nationwide Tour’s BMW Charity Pro-Am. Gove, who next plays the event’s toughest venue — Bright’s Creek — leads by one shot over Canada’s Jon Mills, who shot 6 under Friday at Carolina, and Argentina’s Fabian Gomez, who carded 4 under at Carolina. There’s a group of five at 11 under, including the tour’s leading money winner Michael Sim, and another trio at 10 under. Riverside and Clemson product Brent Delahoussaye leads the locals in a tie for 12th at 9 under. His 2 under Friday at Bright’s Creek was one of only three bogey-free rounds at the course. Greenville resident and USC product Kyle Thompson is tied with Clemson product Kevin Johnson for 30th at 7 under. Thompson, whose wife gave birth to their first child Tuesday evening, leads the team portion at 27 under with former USC Heisman winner George Rogers. The duo won here in 2002 and 2004 and were runners-up in 2003.
William McGirt (Boiling Springs, Wofford) and Matt Hendrix (Greenville, Clemson) are tied for 63rd at 4 under. Stephen Poole (Spartanburg, Clemson) is tied for 120th at 1 under while Greer’s Jay Haas, Jr. is at even par, and Clemson’s Brian Duncan is 5 over.