Cejka capitalizing, minimizing mistakes in Puerto Rico
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PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Alex Cjeka of Germany plays his tee shot on the par 3, fifth hole during the first round of The Honda Classic on the Champions Course at the PGA National Resort and Spa on February 26, 2015 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
The veteran shoots a bogey-free 5 under and claims the 36-hole Puerto Rico Open lead
Written by The Associated Press
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico -- Alex Cejka birdied three of his last five holes Friday for a 5-under 67 and a one-stroke lead during a wind-swept Friday at the Puerto Rico Open.
Cejka birdied Nos. 5, 7 and 9 in a bogey-free round to reach 7-under 137 at Trump International-Puerto Rico. A four-time European Tour winner, the 44-year-old Czech-born German is winless on the PGA TOUR.
"I like it here," Cejka said. "I've been coming here for a lot of years. ... My short game is great. I make a lot of putts when I need to and I'm in a great position right now."
He has made only one bogey in 36 holes.
PUERTO RICO OPEN: Leaderboard | Round 3 tee times | Cejka's stats, scorecards | Friday's best photos
"It's windy all day long," Cejka said. "Sometimes it gusts a little bit more, sometimes a little bit less. But it's a consistent wind, and since we got here on Monday or Tuesday, all these players, it's been the same. Same direction, same kind of strengths of the wind, so you can adapt to the wind condition."
Brandon Hagy was second. Making his third start on the PGA TOUR, he birdied his final hole for a 67.
"I played well today, controlled my ball, which you have to," Hagy said. "It's very windy out there. I just kind of tried to let it go and hit good golf shots. It was a good day."
Argentina's Emiliano Grillo was third at 5 under after a 70.
Defending champion Chesson Hadley topped the group at 3 under after a 70.
First-round leader Mark Hubbard followed his opening 68 with a 74 to drop to 2 under.