NAPLES, Fla. -- PGA champion Keegan Bradley and Brendan Steele shot a 10-under 62 in better-ball play Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Mark Calcavecchia and Nick Price in the Franklin Templeton Shootout.
Keegan Bradley, the reigning PGA champion, and Steele shot a 10-under 62 in Saturday's better-ball.
"Our goal was to have two people in on every hole, and not make stupid, aggressive plays, and just play the way we normally play, and we did," Bradley said. "We had a lot of fun. We were making putts and birdies. It seems easy right now, and we're excited to play that scramble tomorrow."
Calcavecchia and Price, trying to become the first Champions Tour duo to win the 12-team event, had a 63.
Rory Sabbatini and Jhonattan Vegas were two strokes back at 17 under after a 60, and Rickie Fowler and Camilo Villegas were 16 under after a 63.
The event will finish Sunday with a scramble round.
Nine teams were tied for the lead or within a stroke before Bradley and Steele birdied Nos. 7-10 to take a two-stroke advantage. They also birdied four of the last six holes, but Calcavecchia and Price made birdies on six of the final seven to draw within a stroke.
"We definitely thought that at some point we could kind of separate ourselves a little bit, maybe get that two- or three-shot advantage," Steele said. "We were two ahead for a while and wanted to push it to three or four. You'd always like it to be bigger, especially with those guys there. They've got so many shots and they're playing so good, they're tough."
Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker, the longtime Madison, Wis., friends who the event in 2009, were four strokes back at 15 under along with Kenny Perry and Scott Stallings. Kelly and Stricker had a 65, and Perry and Stallings shot a 62.
About Franklin Templeton Investments
Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management solutions managed by its Franklin, Templeton, Mutual Series, Fiduciary Trust, Darby and Bissett investment teams. The San Mateo, CA-based company has more than 60 years of investment experience and over $659 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2011. For more information, visit franklintempleton.com.
About Tiburón Golf Club
Tiburón Golf Club, a WCI managed facility, featuring two Greg Norman-designed golf courses, was carved from 800 acres of prime southwest Florida real estate. The courses reflect Norman’s appreciation for pristine natural settings and his passion for great golf. The Black and The Gold courses contain a combination of stacked sod-wall bunkers and tricky coquina waste bunkers. Certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International, Tiburón reflects a strong commitment to enhancing and protecting the natural resources.
About The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
The AAA Five Diamond Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples is renowned for its outstanding service, incredible cuisine and luxurious accommodations with panoramic views. The 295-room Mediterranean-style resort, ranked as the top golf resort in Florida by Golf Digest (October 2009), is home to a pair of 18-hole signature Greg Norman golf courses at Tiburón. The Tiburón Golf Course complex is complete with the Rick Smith Golf Academy, recognized as one of the top academies in the country.
About Greg Norman Production Company
The Greg Norman Production Company (GNPC), a subsidiary of Great White Shark Enterprises, is devoted to event management and sports marketing. The GNPC is proud to operate the PGA TOUR-sanctioned Mayakoba Golf Classic and Franklin Templeton Shootout, Golf PARa Todos, Three Friends: One Goal, Greg Norman Estates events and many other corporate and special events. The GNPC prides itself on producing events and marketing initiatives that not only reflect the discerning standards of its namesake, but of its clients as well.
