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The 41-year-old from Colombia started his round
eagle-birdie-birdie at El Cardonal at Diamante, the first Tiger
Woods-designed course to be used at a PGA Tour event. He
withstood two front-nine bogeys by adding six more birdies --
including birdies at each of his final three holes -- to nose in
front of the pack at 16-under 128.
Matt Kuchar, a 45-year-old vet with nine PGA Tour wins, is alone
in second at 14 under after a bogey-free 65. Villegas has not
won on tour since 2014, while Kuchar's last victory came in
January 2019 at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Stephan Jaeger of Germany and Justin Suh both shot 65 on Friday
and are tied for third at 13-under 131.
Three golfers still had one hole left to complete when play was
suspended due to darkness.
Will Gordon and South Africa's Erik van Rooyen vied for the lead
before ending their rounds with a bogey and a double bogey,
respectively. Gordon carded two eagles over a three-hole span
during his 9-under 63, and van Rooyen stood at 10 under for his
round and 14 under for the tournament before a double-bogey 7 at
No. 18.
Gordon, van Rooyen, Kramer Hickok (67) and Chesson Hadley (66)
are tied for fifth at 12 under.
Swedish rookie Ludvig Aberg, a Ryder Cup standout, shot a 65 and
is part of a large tie for ninth at 11 under.
Australian 49-year-old Cameron Percy, who held the outright lead
with a first-round, 10-under 62, followed it up with a 72 on
Friday and is part of a tie for 16th at 10 under.
The cut line had settled at 5 under par. The list of notable
players who will miss the cut includes Sahith Theegala (3
under), Stewart Cink (2 under), Argentina's Emiliano Grillo
(even) and PGA teaching professional Michael Block (4 over).
Block tied for 15th at the PGA Championship in May.
--Field Level Media
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