Taylor Pendrith was spared wind so strong it caused a four-hour delay and battered the field Friday in the Shriners Children’s Open.
The Canadian only had to play six holes and stayed in the lead before the second round was halted by darkness.
Pendrith, who had a 10-under 61 on Thursday in a relatively calm morning to start the tournament, now faces a long Saturday – 12 holes to complete the second round and however many holes in the third round as the autumn light allows.
He remained at 10 under — four pars, a birdie and a bogey in his short day of work — and led by one shot over Rico Hoey, who made a 15-foot eagle putt on his 7th and final hole.
Far more impressive was Las Vegas resident Kurt Kitayama, who was bogey-free for a 68 in gusts approaching 40mph and temperatures that led to a wardrobe of sweaters and ski caps.
Kitayama was part of the group at eight-under 134 that included Doug Ghim, JJ Spaun and Davis Thompson, all of whom completed the second round.
It took Ghim eight holes before he made his first par, and he wound up with a hard-earned 70.
South Africans Garrick Higgo and Erik van Rooyen were both on eight-under 138 (T36) after rounds of 74 and 70 respectively.
– Edited report from PGA Tour website
Photo: Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images
