AFP/Las Vegas


A bogey at the par-3 eighth hole yesterday dropped Brett Stegmaier into a share of the lead with three other Americans after 36 holes at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Making only his fifth career US PGA Tour start, the 32-year-old ranked 483rd in the world parred the seventh and ninth as well in finishing off his second round at TPC Summerlin.
That allowed back-nine starter Stegmaier to complete his second five-under par 66 in a row and match countrymen Tyler Aldridge, Chad Campbell and Morgan Hoffmann atop the leaderboard as the third round began on 10-under 132.
Stegmaier was among 14 players who failed to finish their second rounds on Friday due to darkness. Zimbabwe’s Brendon de Jonge was among a group on 133 that also included Americans Nick Watney, Daniel Summerhays, Jimmy Walker and Cameron Tringale.
Among other early finishers yesterday, American Mark Hubbard finished off a 70 to join a group in 10th on 134 that included compatriots Ryan Palmer, Jason Bohn, Kevin Na and Patton Kizzire plus Canada’s David Hearn.  American Tyler Aldridge was the first player in at 10-under after a second-round 68. He was joined by fellow Americans Chad Campbell (67) and Morgan Hoffmann (66).
Aldridge put in extra duty on Friday, having joined Michael Thompson, Mark Hubbard and Canadian David Hearn atop the leaderboard after completing the last two holes of his opening round on Friday morning. Darkness again stopped play at TPC Summerlin on Friday evening, with 14 players still to complete the second round.
World number five Rickie Fowler, the highest ranked player in the field, followed his opening 72 with a 65 highlighted by an 80-foot eagle putt at the par-five 13th. “Finally got a few things to go my way,” Fowler said. “Nice to have a tee time tomorrow.”
While Fowler set himself up comfortably for the weekend, Argentine rookie Emiliano Grillo—winner of the 2014-15 season-opening Frys.com Open last week—will miss the cut after following a 74 with a one-under par 70.