Halfway through the first round of the Safeway Open on Thursday, Anirban Lahiri was gazing at the scars on his card. At three-over, he had absorbed a double and two bogeys as he set sail for his sixth season on the PGA TOUR. Since then, he hasn’t put a foot wrong, going bogey-free for 45 holes. Anirban shot three birdies and an eagle on the 18th to move inside top 30. Emiliano Grillo and Stewart Cink shot 65 for a share of the clubhouse lead at 14-under, before being overhauled by as many as six golfers.
Brian Stuard, James Hahn and Cameron Percy acquired the lead, later in the day, closing at 16-under through 54 holes. Sam Burns and Harry Higgs joined the caravan at 15-under with rookie Kristoffer Ventura. The top twenty eight men are within four strokes from the leaders, setting up a juicy Sunday.
“Winning would mean the world to me. It would be fantastic. I’ve got a bit more focus and set a few goals and it’s amazing what happens when you set some goals. You’re not just out here running in circles,” Percy said.
“It’s the same as trying to win a golf tournament, I can tell you that, because you’ve heard it before, winning takes care of itself. It takes care of a lot of problems,” said Hahn.
“The medical is just something in the back of my mind, to be honest with you. I come out every week trying to win a golf tournament, so if I can keep my focus there, I think I’m doing things right.”
Sahith Theegala forced his way inside the top ten with a spectacular 64. The Indian-American made 68 in the second round. At 13-under 203, Theegala is lying T9, playing on a sponsors exemption.
After an even 72 in the second round, Akshay Bhatia once again made 66, just as he did on Thursday. He is in T15, just one behind Sahith.
At 10-under through 54 holes, Anirban took full advantage of his rhythm, making 15 of 18 greens in regulation and staying bogey-free for a second day running.
After reaching the green in two on the 538-yard par-5 fifth, Anirban had the luxury of making two putts for his first birdie on the day.
A laser-guided iron shot on the par-5 ninth helped him to a second birdie, as he improved to two-under for the day. Anirban picked up another stroke on the 391-yard par-4 12th hole.
Working from the left of the fairway on the par-5 18th, the Indian left himself just inside ten feet for an eagle. That was enough to go five-under on the day and move within six of the lead.
