Louis Oosthuizen was the only South African to survive the cut at THE NORTHERN TRUST on Friday as Charl Schwartzel’s season came to a close.
South Africa’s fledgeling interest in the FedExCup Playoffs grew weaker as Friday saw the end of the road for Schwartzel and Rory Sabbatini on Tour this year.
Branden Grace joined the pair on the sidelines this weekend but has probably done enough to advance to the Dell Technologies, the second playoff event reserved for the top 100 on the moneylist.
The reigning Nedbank Golf Challenge champion is projected to drop nine places to 91st place after rounds of 70-73 saw him miss the cut. A run of three bogeys in a row shortly after the turn was enough to see Grace out of the action this weekend.
Schwartzel hit 12 of 18 greens in regulation en route to a 69 but that was not enough after he opened with a 74.
Sabbatini hit nine of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens in regulation, finishing at four over for the tournament.
The lone Saffa this weekend is Oosthuizen, who showed glimpses of top form on Friday as he worked his way around without a bogey on his card. Three of his five birdies during round two were inside 10 feet with putts from 13 and 14 feet on his front side getting him moving in the right direction.
Oosthuizen’s 66 saw him rise 43 places and inside the top 20 with a move of 11 places in the projected FedExCup standings up to 63rd as he looks to play his way into the Tour Championship.
