Sean Crocker bogeyed the 18th and closed with a 4-under 67 to take a two-shot lead at 9-under at the Hainan Classic where play has been suspended overnight due to darkness. Play will resume at 7am local time on Saturday.
“I feel for the most part in control of what is going on out there,” said Crocker. “A little bit different weather which has made today a little more challenging so scores will be a bit worse than what we saw the first day because it is definitely stormy.”
Crocker won his first DP World Tour at the 2022 Hero Open but has struggled since then with his best result being second at the 2023 Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed.
He has yet to break the top-20 this season and missed the cut at last week’s Volvo China Open.
“[My game] feels really good. But that is not really my main concern out there right now,” said the American. I am working on other things, that have my mind at ease when I am out playing golf. So, golf is secondary right now.
“I am just working on the mental side of my game. I think it is what has let me down for the last eight years. If I can get that under control, I think I can maybe keep doing what I’m doing.”
England’s Jack Senior also made a single bogey and carded a 67 for a share of second place at 7-under alongside overnight co-leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat from Thailand who is 1-under though fifteen holes, as well as four other players.
https://twitter.com/DPWorldTour/status/1915688868738748658
China’s Haotong Li made two birdies, two bogeys and a triple bogey at the par-5 12th and recorded a 75. He currently lies in T27 at 3-under.
Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan who also shared the overnight lead made a single bogey, three bogeys and a triple bogey at the par-4 14th and is 5-over through 17 holes. He lies in T48 at 1-under.
