Pampling maintains lead in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Australian Rod Pampling recovered from a poor start to take a one-shot lead in the second round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas on Friday.

A day after carding an 11-under 60, Pampling followed up with a respectable 68 at TPC Summerlin, where Tiger Woods 20 years ago clinched the first of his 79 PGA Tour victories.

Pampling posted a 14-under 128 halfway total, while American Brooks Koepka (67) lipped out a five-foot par putt at the last to slip out of a tie for the lead.

Aaron Wise, the US collegiate champion who turned professional in June, ended the day in third place at 12-under after 14 holes.

He was among 19 players who could not complete the round before darkness fell.

Pampling described his two early bogeys as “two silly mistakes” but remained calm in the knowledge that his swing still felt good.

“I didn’t panic,” the two-time PGA Tour winner told Golf Channel.

“You’ve just got to trust yourself that you’re playing well. I knew it was good so I let it come to me.

“He turned his day around with a 12-foot birdie at his sixth hole, before making a 100-yard up-and-down at the next to save par.

“That just righted the ship,” he said. “I played nice after that.”

Koepka, meanwhile, was not quite firing on all cylinders, but he credited a hot putter with keeping him near the lead.