Reuters/New Orleans


Jason Day birdied two of his last four holes after play resumed at the weather-delayed Zurich Classic of New Orleans in Avondale, Louisiana yesterday to seize a one-shot lead when the second round was finally completed.
The Australian world number six, the highest-ranked player in the field at the TPC Louisiana, drained a 34-footer at the par-four 15th before signing off with a tap-in from inside two feet at the par-five last to card a seven-under-par 65.
“It’s taken a while but we got it in,” Day, who won his third career title on the PGA Tour with a playoff victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in February, told Golf Channel about the weather-delayed second round.
“I came out today and played some really nice golf. Just happy where I’m at, I’m enjoying myself and hopefully the (bad) weather can stay away.”
Day’s 65 left him at 12-under 132, a stroke in front of Americans Hudson Swafford (66), Daniel Berger (67) and Chris Stroud (66). Swafford had completed his 66 on Friday, before approaching thunderstorms forced play to be suspended for the day with the afternoon wave of players still out on the course.
Berger and Stroud each recorded one birdie in their last three holes yesterday morning to edge up the leaderboard.
American Boo Weekley, co-leader after the opening round with Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge after firing a 64, finished birdie-bogey-bogey on Saturday to card a 70 for an eight-way share of fifth place at 10 under.
The cut fell at five-under 139 with former U.S. Ryder Cup players Rickie Fowler and Steve Stricker among those failing to advance. The 27-year-old Swafford, who has benefited from a change to his putting stroke over the past month,  is bidding for his first victory on the PGA Tour after competing as a rookie last season. He took advantage of ideal scoring conditions on a rain-softened layout at the TPC Louisiana as he fired a flawless six-under-par 66.
Swafford recorded three birdies on each nine to post an 11-under total of 133.  American Boo Weekley, co-leader overnight with de Jonge after opening with a 64, was at 11 under with three holes remaining when play was suspended for the day due to the threat of approaching thunderstorms.
On Friday, the horn was sounded at 4.30 p.m. local (2130 GMT) to halt the action and the entire afternoon wave of players were back in position yesterday morning to complete the second round. Swafford, who has recorded just one top-10 in 16 starts on the 2014-15 PGA Tour, was delighted to maintain his improved form after struggling earlier this year.
“Nothing was really clicking for me so I kind of changed the takeaway with my golf swing, and actually my stroke with the putter,” Swafford, who missed six cuts in the first three months this year before tweaking his putting stroke, told Golf Channel. “I’ve been trying to bring it a little more inside and down the line. Ever since then, Bay Hill, it has kind of kicked in and I’ve really seen some good golf.”
Swafford revised his putting stroke in late March before the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill where he tied for 11th place.  Burly Zimbabwean de Jonge, seeking his first PGA victory this week on his 225th career start, carded three birdies and a lone bogey in the second round despite the receptive conditions. “I’ve just got to stay aggressive,” said the 34-year-old.
“Obviously there’s going to be a bunch of birdies this weekend and the golf course isn’t going to be able to firm up.  I am excited about it. I feel like my game is in good shape so hopefully keep it going.”

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