Saturday, Jan. 14th, day 2 of the Diamond Resorts Invitational benefiting Florida Hospital for Children gave way to former NBA star Ray Allen, who took the celebrity lead Saturday, and PGA Tour Champions player Woody Austin remained on top in the professional competition.
Allen shot a 4-under 67 on the Four Seasons Resort’s Tranquilo course, scoring 30 points under the modified Stableford scoring system to push his two-day total to 50. Allen had eight birdies and four bogeys, with a birdie worth three points, a par one point and a bogey zero points.
“Just to be here and be in contention, I’m already winning,” Allen said. “The rest is cake.”
Ex-NBA Star Ray Allen
Former pitcher Mark Mulder was three points back, and defending champion Mardy Fish was third with 46 points. Mulder had a 21-point day, and former tennis player Fish scored 29 points.
Austin followed his opening 59 with a 66 for a 73-point total.
“Pretty much what I figured,” Austin said. “I knew today was going to be more normal than yesterday. I made plenty of birdies today. I made a couple of mistakes that I didn’t make yesterday. So, it pretty much worked out exactly what I figured. Very happy with the two days because I’ve only been back for a week practicing or playing.”
Joe Durant was second at 68 after a 34-point round, and Brandt Jobe earned 32 points to reach 65.
Lexi Thompson was tied for ninth with 55 points to top the four LPGA Tour players in the professional field. Brooke Henderson was tied for 19th with 49 points. Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome were tied for 26th in the 31-player field with 44 points.
All of the players are teeing off from the same tees. The professionals are playing for $750,000, and the celebrities for $500,000.
—John Perry, reporting for AAGD.
John Perry is a freelance writer, poet and active golfer with a passion for calling shots like he sees them and, then, telling it like it is. He resides in Orlando, Florida.
ABOUT THE DIAMOND RESORTS INVITATIONAL
Damond Resorts International® first began working with Florida Hospital for Children (FHFC) in 2012 through volunteer participation at hospital events. As the hospitality company’s presence expanded in Central Florida, Diamond Resorts decided to increase their involvement and give back more in order to make a significant impact and help the children’s hospital in its vital, life-saving mission.
View Reports for Day 1, Day 2, Day 3
