McKINNEY, TX, October 19, 2011 - Shenzhen-based, Ohio-born CJ Gatto continued on his road to the PGA tour with a 74 in the second round at the Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney, Texas. Gatto, who needs to finish the four-round event in 14th spot or better to progress to stage two, was lying in 32nd position after the round, but only three shots back.
Conditions were somewhat better than on the opening day, when the field battled 30-40km/h winds, and the average score was almost 2 shots better on the par 72, 7117yd track, designed by Arthur Hills in 1988.
The damage was done with a double bogey at the par-5 third, which CJ had birdied on Tuesday. He held on well to play on in par, with a birdie at the par-5 seventh offset with a bogey at the par-3 eleventh. Overall, despite the double, Gatto remains under par on the par-5's this week.
In an exclusive interview with HK Golfer, CJ said that it was a tough day, but he he had played very solid. "The 3rd is a tough drive, but a great opportunity for birdie, so I hit 3 wood off the tee and ripped it down the middle. I walked up to find the ball not there and the spotter said it took a horrible hop into the hazard. Hoped to still salvage something, but ended up 3 putting for the double bogey."
Asked how he felt, CJ told us: "I had 15 pars today and had plenty of looks. It was very disappointing to not make anything as my speed was awesome and every putt was threatening. At some point they will fall, I've just got to stay patient."
Ryan Brehm of Michigan and the intruigingly named Trent Whitekiller of Oklahoma are tied for the lead at five-under par.
Angel Cabrera's son Frederico, a portly chip off the old block, scored a 2-under par 70 to move into a tie for 6th, while Jay Haas Jr, brother of FedEx Cup winner Bill Haas, is tied with CJ at 3-over.
Further down the field, former priodigy Ty Tyron's woes continued and he is currently in 51st place at 7-over.