Rocco Mediate, at the age of 61, is still in love with golf and competing, showing remarkable career consistency with wins in his 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Mediate, after posting a 66 on Saturday at the Timuquana Country Club, holds a share of the lead in the Constellation Furyk & Friends with Bob Estes, both at 11-under 133. Mediate made a strong surge on the front nine with four birdies, while Estes had a run on the back-nine with five birdies in a five-hole stretch.
World Golf Hall of Fame member Vijay Singh, along with Mario Tiziani, are tied at 8 under, three strokes behind Mediate and Estes. Singh’s strong ball-striking, despite missing opportunities on the par-5s, puts him in contention. Estes believes that Singh may have an advantage with his length off the tee if the course becomes soft due to rain. However, Mediate and Estes have been performing well by hitting fairways and greens consistently.
Estes, looking for his first Champions Tour victory, has shown consistent top-10 finishes this season. Mediate, with some set-up changes and newfound confidence in hitting fades, is trusting his game under pressure. Singh, after a successful finish at Pebble Beach, is feeling more mentally prepared and encouraged. Els, the Schwab Cup money leader, is currently tied for 24th at 4 under.
Freddie Jacobson, playing in his first Champions Tour event, suffered a shoulder injury but has not withdrawn from the tournament. Scores remain low as players take advantage of preferred lies, with 24 players shooting in the 60s for the second day in a row. The field has set a tournament scoring record for the second round, with 50 players under par. Heading into the final round, 18 players are within five shots of Mediate and Estes, setting up an exciting finish.
