Colt Knost shot a second straight 66 and was tied for third when play was suspended at TPC River Highlands.
(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Travelers Championship Notebook
A victory will get Knost his Masters
Colt Knost shot a second straight 66 and was tied for third when play was suspended at TPC River Highlands.
(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
CROMWELL, Conn. - Colt Knost caused quite a stir when he turned pro after tearing through the amateur ranks in 2007, giving up spots in the 2008 Masters, US Open, and British Open. A win here this weekend, and he’ll earn a trip to Augusta, one he won’t turn down.
Knost, a rookie on the PGA Tour who turned 24 yesterday, shot a second straight 66 and was tied for third when play was suspended, three shots behind Kenny Perry.
“I don’t think people understood when I gave up a spot in the Masters,’’ said Knost, who won the 2007 US Amateur and US Amateur Public Links. “Obviously it’s the ultimate tournament in golf, but I want to do this for a long time to come. The day I do get there, it’ll be real special.’’
Knost began his pro career after helping the US team capture the 2007 Walker Cup, and spent last year on the Nationwide Tour, winning twice. He doesn’t have a top-20 finish on the PGA Tour this year, but led the Shell Houston Open after 54 holes before struggling to a final-round 81.
He’s also just happy to be here. Knost injured some ribs in an automobile accident earlier this month when an alleged drunk driver went the wrong way down a one-way street.
“It could have been a lot worse than it was,’’ said Knost. “I could be in bed right now and not playing out here, so I feel very lucky.’’
Paying off
With rounds of 66-67, Kyle Stanley continues to ride a wave of strong play. The difference is he can now get paid for it. Stanley, playing on a sponsor’s exemption, turned professional this week. At 7 under par, Stanley was tied for ninth.A three-time All-American at Clemson and the 2009 Hogan Award winner as the top collegiate player in the nation, Stanley finished second at the NCAA championships, was the medalist at a sectional qualifier for the US Open, then made the cut at Bethpage Black, finishing 53d. He can accept five more sponsor’s exemptions this year, and is already confirmed to play in the John Deere Classic, US Bank Championship, and Wyndham Championship.
Mahan at home
There might not be anyone more comfortable on the TPC River Highlands course than Hunter Mahan, who won in 2007, and was second in 2006 and 2008. Mahan was even through 13 holes when play was called, trying to extend a streak of seven scores in the 60s here. Over his last 14 tournament trips around the course, dating to the final round in 2005, Mahan has averaged 66.5, with 13 scores under 70.An up-and-down
Brad Faxon tied Mark Calcavecchia for the most appearances in the history of the Travelers Championship, and marked the occasion with his lowest score in two years. Faxon shot 65 in the second round, his best round on Tour since a 65 in the first round of the 2007 Travelers, a span of 22 tournaments. Faxon, in his 25th start in this event, will miss the cut, his 65 not enough to overcome a first-round 74.Driscoll waiting
James Driscoll of Brookline, Mass., finished his second round with nine straight pars, shooting a 69. At 3 under, he’ll have to wait and see if that’s good enough to play the final two rounds . . . Rhode Islanders Brad Adamonis and Mike Capone will miss the cut, while Billy Andrade was 4 over through 12 holes, dropping him to even par. Patrick Sheehan of Warwick, R.I., appears to be in good shape, 4 under for the tournament with two holes to play in his second round . . . Ben Crane (knee) and 1999 Travelers champion Brent Geiberger (back) withdrew before the second round. Jeff Quinney, Steve Elkington, and James Oh also withdrew yesterday.Michael Whitmer can be reached at mwhitmer@globe.com 
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