"Absolutely," Janzen said. "I like playing the courses where single digits may win. I jokingly say it's my ADD, I need something really challenging to stimulate my brain properly."
On the Victoria National layout - which already has the look of one of the more demanding Web.com layouts - Janzen followed his opening 67 with a second-round 70 early Friday. At 7-under at the midway point, Janzen has put himself in good position for the weekend - currently tied for the lead with overnight leader Omar Uresti, and David Lingmerth (thru 13).
Although he admitted that he didn't hit his irons nearly as well on Friday, the experienced Janzen was able to grind out a score in the oppressive Indiana heat (fast approaching 100 degrees, with humidity). Janzen made sure to take advantage of the best ways to score - the par 5's - by birdieing them all, in spite of a conservative game plan focused on avoiding the rough.
"The rough is plenty tough here," Janzen said. "Whatever this grass is, it's very tough. You don't want to hit out of it."
The veteran said he got away with most of his poor approach shots, with only one bogey on the card through his first 15 holes - but wasn't so lucky on the tricky par-3 16th. Hole 16 is guarded by water on the left, and Janzen pulled his approach into the hazard - taking a double bogey on the hole.
But being the consummate pro that he is, Janzen finished strong, birdieing 18 to post 7-under.
There is still a long way to go here at Victoria National, but Janzen looks to be in good position heading into Saturday. And regardless of what happens the rest of the afternoon, the 8-time PGA Tour champion maintains a steely focus that has helped him acquire over $15 million in career earnings.
"Tomorrow, I've got to do the same thing," Janzen said. "Just hit it down the fairway on 1." __________________________________________________
-Former Ryder Cupper Chris Riley finds himself back on the Web.com Tour occasionally, due to inconsistent play out on the big tour. Riley finds himself in a different state of mind on the minor-league circuit, knowing that high finishes are necessary in order to make a good living - in contrast to the PGA Tour, where you can carve out a comfortable life with a string of top-25 efforts.
"By far, this is the most difficult tour in the world to play," Riley said. "You can actually lose a lot of money on this tour if you don't play well."
Here in Indiana, Riley might as well play the hand he's dealt. Maintaining a go-for-broke mindset despite the demanding conditions, Riley fired a second-round 66 to move up the leaderboard in a hurry.
Riley wasn't upset with his afternoon round Thursday, but knew he would find the course a bit more user-friendly in the morning - and he took advantage.
"(Yesterday) I walked off the golf course, shot even par, and felt pretty good about it," Riley said. "It was two totally different courses."
The San Diego native finished up strong with an up-and-down for birdie from about 20 yards left of the 9th green, and finds himself just a shot back of the (current) lead as a result.
"That up-and-down was unexpected," Riley said. "But I'll take 66."
We'll see how his aggressive approach translates into weekend play.
-4th on the money list, Andres Gonzales finds himself in good position to return to the PGA Tour for 2013. And after firing a 5-under 67 on Friday, Gonzales has a chance to further extend his cushion with a good weekend.
But regardless of position - whether it be on the leaderboard, or on the money list - the Washington (state) native's approach doesn't change.
"I'm coming out here, teeing it up every week trying to win," Gonzales said. "Just trying to give myself the best opportunity to win and really play aggressive."
Gonzales got off to a good start Friday with birdies on 4 and 5, and he eagled the 9th to make the turn at 3-under on the round (and week). He kept up the stellar play with birdies on three of the next four, and made a traditional two-putt par at the last to post 67.
The Soboba Classic champion earlier this year, Gonzales may not need much in order to guarantee his return to the big leagues next year, but he's putting forth a good effort in Indiana regardless. And with a great weekend, he could suddenly find himself a win away from an immediate return to the PGA Tour.
Notes:
-Nice touch by the tournament staff here at Victoria National, with a volunteer holding the door open for us media members every time we pass into the media center. Completely unnecessary of course, but much appreciated regardless.
-Nobody has been able to open up a sizable lead this morning, but the course has yielded some low scores in the softer conditions. Skip Kendall rebounded from an opening 77 with a second-round 66, and the veteran will most likely be around for the weekend as a result. Kudos to Kendall for plugging away.
Jamie Lovemark also had a nice bounce-back effort Friday, following an opening 75 with a second-round 67. Even though he hit his tee ball in the water on 18, Lovemark re-teed and made 'birdie' for a bogey that should make his lunch taste a little better. The California native is playing only his second Web.com Tour event of the season (he has made 5 cuts in 14 PGA Tour starts), and can now use the weekend as a chance to fine-tune his game. At 2-under on the week, Lovemark has all but assured himself of a tee time this weekend.
-David Lingmerth just failed to get up-and-down for birdie from the greenside bunker on the par-5 15th, which would have given the Sweden native the outright lead. Lingmerth remains tied for the lead, but 7-under remains the number for now.
Uresti tees off in a half hour, and the heat is probably more pronounced than it has been at any point this week. The Texan is in great position to separate himself from the field with a good round.
But then again, considering the brutal conditions facing the field this afternoon, I'm sure Uresti will be fine with anything under par.
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