Van Pelt glad he didn't skip new tourney
Associated Press
Saturday, March 22, 2008

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico --- Bo Van Pelt continued the most productive week of his career Friday at the Puerto Rico Open.

Van Pelt, seeking his first PGA Tour victory, shot 4-under 68 to take a one-stroke lead over Jerry Kelly halfway through the inaugural event.

Typically, Van Pelt skips events opposite a World Golf Championship stop to rest for his next appearance. Earlier this season, he figured he'd miss this one, too.

Don't expect that next year after his performance at Trump International Golf Club.

"I just tried to take advantage of coming down here," he said. "I didn't want to just waste the trip."

Van Pelt started Thursday with his lowest round in nine months, then followed with another sub-70 showing -- a back-to-back effort he hadn't accomplished in seven previous tournaments this season.

"It's been good to me so far," Van Pelt said. "It's just the halfway point, but we've enjoyed the resort."

Kelly, at No. 63 in the world, is the highest-ranked competitor in the field. He had a chance to tie Van Pelt, but missed a 5-foot birdie putt on No. 18. Still, he followed his first-round 67 with 66, not too shabby for a player worried about his game when the week began.

Kelly wasn't making near as many birdies as he should and his missed shots "were pretty bad," he said.

"I've cleaned up my missed shots to where they're just off the green now and my good shots are to where I'm giving myself good birdie opportunities," he said.

EUROPEAN TOUR: In Santo Da Serra, Madeira Islands, South Africa's Hennie Otto took a four-stroke lead in the Madeira Islands Open, shooting his second consecutive 5-under 67 in a round delayed 21/2 hours by high wind, then suspended because of darkness.

Wearing clothes purchased at the pro shop to replace his lost luggage, the 31-year-old Otto eagled the par-4 10th, pitching in from 10 yards off the green after a wind- assisted 385-yard drive.

From the Saturday, March 22, 2008 edition of the Augusta Chronicle
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