‘Greedy’ golfer still holds Open lead

By Rick Brown, Des Moines Register

Rick Tegtmeier, the director of grounds at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club, was having lunch in the maintenance building Friday when he had an unexpected visitor.

"I looked up and there was Sean McCarty," Tegtmeier said.

McCarty tried to give his drive on the par-5 16th hole a little extra juice during the second round of the Iowa Open golf championship. The ball landed somewhere near the maintenance shop just off the 16th fairway of the South Course.

"I was just coming over to check on them and see what they were doing," McCarty joked.

McCarty never found his ball. The stroke-and-distance penalty led to his only bogey in an otherwise spectacular 6-under-par 67 that gave the 35-year-old pro a three-shot lead heading into today’s final round.

"For the most part, it was a good, solid round," said McCarty, whose closest pursuer is Jason Knutzon.

McCarty, who opened with a 69, is at 10-under 136.

"I drove it about as good as I can," McCarty said. "And then I tried to get a little greedy (on No. 16)."

Knutzon shot 70 after opening with a 69. Defending champion Jon Olson of Ankeny is in third, six shots back, after rounds of 68-74.

"I’ve got a chance to catch him," said Knutzon, 32, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour. "Ten-under is a good score for him, and I’m sure he’s happy. I’m happy with 7-under. Hopefully we’ll have a good match (today)."

McCarty, who successfully defended his Herman Sani Invitational title earlier this month, is trying to win a third Iowa Open. He also claimed the title in 1997 and 2005.

He’s moved into a commanding position this week because of his dominance on the par-5 holes.

McCarty played the South Course’s five par-5 holes in 5-under par during Thursday’s first round. He was 4-under par on the three front-nine par-5 holes Friday – two birdies and an eagle on No. 8.

But it was an uncharacteristic back nine for McCarty. He parred the par-5 13th hole and then bogeyed No. 16 after his wayward drive.

"I was trying to cut it around the corner hard and get it way down there," McCarty said.

He interrupted Tegtmeier’s lunch instead.

"He hit one in my shop," Tegtmeier said.

Knutzon has a hill to climb, but he’s not backing down from the challenge.

"I’d rather be three up," Knutzon said. "I’m sure he’s had many three-shot leads. I’ve had a few myself. It is different playing with the lead. We’ll just have to go play golf."