Record-setting Cook takes Schwab Cup lead
Sonoma, CA (Sports Network) - John Cook fired a course-record 10-under 62 on Friday to take the lead at the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
Seeking his second win in three weeks on the Champions Tour, Cook also matched the 36-hole tournament scoring record at 14-under 130, building a three-stroke lead over Tom Watson and Phil Blackmar.
In perfect scoring conditions for the second day at Sonoma Golf Club, Cook collected 10 birdies in a flawless round that had even him confused. He walked off the course not knowing for sure how many birdies he had made.
"It was the epitome of playing a hole at a time," the 52-year-old said. "I really didn't know." Watson tried to keep pace with the leader, but even eight birdies wasn't enough. Shooting a bogey-free 64, Watson joined Blackmar (67) at 11-under 133.
Russ Cochran (66), Brad Bryant (67) and Jeff Sluman (69) shared fourth place at nine-under 135.
Cook birdied his first three holes to take a one-shot lead, then birdied three of his last four holes on the front nine to shoot a 30 and carry a two-stroke advantage around the turn.
Watson later tied him with four birdies in a five-hole stretch, capped by a five-foot putt at the 13th. But Cook responded with a 12-footer for birdie at the 12th to move in front by himself.
The back-and forth continued when Watson's closing birdie at the 18th was followed shortly by Cook's bunker shot to three feet to set up birdie at the 16th.
With Watson in the clubhouse at 11-under, Cook built his lead to two strokes with a four-foot birdie putt at the 17th.
Then came Cook's most impressive swing of the day -- a fairway bunker shot to about 12 feet at the 18th, setting up his 10th birdie of the round for a three-shot lead.
Cook's drive at the closing hole only missed the fairway by about a foot. He would have had a pitching-wedge into the green, the perfect situation.
"But it sat in the bunker and I still made birdie," said Cook.
"It really seriously was one of the best shots I've ever hit. It was really close to the edge of the bunker. I could have caught the lip and hit myself." Cook matched the 36-hole scoring record set by Jim Thorpe in 2003. He won the Administaff Small Business Classic two weeks ago for his third victory on the over-50 tour and has 11 top-10 finishes this season.
Watson hit all 18 greens in regulation and took only 28 putts in his second round. He posted a 32 on both sides of the course.
In a season that saw him nearly win the British Open at the age of 59 -- Stewart Cink beat him in a playoff -- Watson, now 60, has only one goal remaining for 2009.
"The one thing I want to do every year is win a golf tournament, and I put myself at least close enough to where I might have a chance to win this one," said Watson, who hasn't finished first since winning twice in April 2008.
Loren Roberts, the Charles Schwab Cup points leader, had five bogeys on Friday and shot a 73.
Trying to hang on to win the $1 million season-long race, Roberts tumbled into a tie for 25th place in the 29-man field at one-under 143.
Fred Funk, who trails Roberts by only 165 points in the standings, shot a 69 and was tied for 16th place at four-under 140.
Cook is fifth in the Schwab Cup race, 991 points behind Roberts.
With values doubled this week, the winner will earn $442,000 and 884 points.
10/30 19:45:21 ET
