KAILUA-KONA — It doesn’t take long for things to change in the game of golf, as evident in the second round of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai on Friday.
The lead changed hands a few times on the last few holes of the day until Hualalai fixture Bernhard Langer sunk a 7-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to shoot a 7-under 65 for a 15-under 129 total and sole possession of the lead.
“I was hoping to finish strong and I did,” Langer said, who knocked in birdies on four of the final five holes. “Front nine was good, I had a bit of a lull in the middle but then put it all together at the end.”
Kirk Triplett held a very brief share of the lead at 13-under, but just as he signed off on his round, Fred Couples nailed back-to-back birdies to get to 15-under heading into 18. Couples winced off the tee on 18, and went on to bogey the final hole, settling with a 7-under 65 and 130 total after 36 holes.
His second bogey of the back nine wasn’t his main concern as he recapped his round. Instead, the former Masters champ was worried about his back, an injury that kept him off the course for most of last season.
“It’s barking, but I got through the round,” Couples said. “After six or seven hours it just kind of tightens up. It’s got really nothing to do with the golf swing. It’s a lot of that twisting and turning that I just can’t stop doing. It’s just like working overtime.”
“I think the last few holes I hit some good shots, but I just didn’t feel very good doing it,” he continued. “Yesterday I freewheeled it and I drove it 300 yards, the course seemed easy. Today I just putted very, very well. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel alright and see what happens.”
Langer and Couples will make up the final grouping, where the winner has come from 10 times in the last 11 years. The duo have a long history of playing against each other, including three times at Hualalai. In 2014 they were tied after 36 holes at 14-under, but Langer bested Couples by three strokes.
“It’s always fun playing with Fred. We need him more out here,” Langer said. “He’s a great guy and when he’s hot, he’s tough to beat. I’m looking forward to taking him on, but there’s a whole bunch of guys that are still in it, too.”
Langer has won at Hualalai twice — in 2009 and ‘14 — but his 129 total is his best showing through 36 holes. A victory would be his 30th on the senior tour and give him a headstart on winning a record fifth — and fourth consecutive — season-long Charles Schwab Cup as the leading money-getter.
Lurking behind the leaders are more than a dozen players in contention with the ability to go low. Among those names are defending champ Duffy Waldorf (12-under 132), Champions Tour rookie David Toms (12-under 132), and the 54-year-old Triplett who is alone in third place.
Triplett’s two days have been his best in five tries at Hualalai, and he can thank the par 5s. He has birdied all eight of them this week. His best finish is fifth on the Big Island, so the veteran understands it will take another low day to be hoisting the trophy.
“You have to stay aggressive,” Triplett said. “For the most part, you’re going to have to come out here and expect to make birdies.”