Hadwin goes bogey-free to move up in Phoenix

TSN Senior Reporter

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Through two rounds of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Adam Hadwin has hit 17 fairways, 27 greens and no cacti. It’s put him up near the top of the leaderboard and in solid position heading into the weekend.

Despite the good play that had him finishing up his round in a tie for first, the Canadian was asked in his post-round media gathering which swing errors would cause a player to drive a ball into one of two cacti sitting just off the first tee. The two-needled succulents are pockmarked with scores of golf ball-sized holes from players less skilled than those competing this week at the PGA Tour event.

“Probably not something that I want to be thinking about right now going into the weekend at 8-under,” chuckled Hadwin, who looked very solid so far.

In fact, he’s played his last 32 holes without making a bogey. He fired a three-under 68 in the second round and his last bogey came on the fourth hole on Thursday. Although his second round was bogey-free on the scorecard, it wasn’t as solid from a ball-striking standpoint.

“I did a really good job of managing the golf ball around the golf course,” he said. “I didn't hit nearly as well as I did yesterday. I just wasn't confident in what I was doing, to be honest.”

Hadwin worked his way around the course despite only finding six of 14 fairways. He did convert that into reaching 13 of 18 greens and putted well, putting up a mark of 2.142 strokes gained on the field.

Yet what stood out to the Abbotsford, B.C., product was just how he managed his game when he wasn’t sharp.

“I struck it really well yesterday, didn't make a whole lot until the back nine,” said Hadwin of his five-under back side on Thursday. “I just didn't hit it as well