JACKSON, Mich. — Garrick Higggo shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday and was not scheduled to play on a safe Sunday for Jackson’s country club.
“I’m going to play as if I’m late tomorrow, be as offensive as possible and make as many birdies as possible,” Higugo said.
The South African player fought through a lip injury after winning an opposing field event in the Dominican Republic the week after the Masters. He argued that he would have surgery on his lower back after the regular season, but realized that he could handle it with a change in his fitness routine. He doesn’t lift, he’s smarter.
Stephen Fisk and Danny Walker were tied up in the second. Fisk had a second straight 65, and Walker shot a 67.
“I’ll play more like I did for the last three days,” Walker said. “It’s hard to say what Garrick is doing. He could get away. There’s nothing I can do about it. I think if I keep playing like me and I have probably one or two mistakes, then I’ll take care of it.”
Unlike most players in the Fall Series events, Higugo’s FedEx Cup rank has little effect. The Punta Cana Championship won him and is taking part in the Player Championship with a PGA Tour card in place. Masters invitations are no longer available for events in the Fall Series.
After the November Fall Series ends, only the top 100 holds the full PGA Tour Card. Five tournaments remain on the schedule.
Walker ranks 104th in the FedEx Cup, and Fisk ranks 135th.
“We just actually controlled the driver and hit a bunch of fairways,” Fisk said.
Taylor Montgomery is under 15, following a 63 in two rounds with 69. He is 147th in the rankings.
Matt Kuchar (65) was 13 years old, Frankie Capan III (68) and Vince Willie (68). Whaley is 102nd in the rankings, with Kuchar 115th and Capan 157th.
Higugo reached under 18 with 14th par 5 and 15th par 4, and interpreted the last two.
“I think it was a pretty good fight,” Higugo said. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I mean, it’s never easy. Golf never goes your way. I was just patient, trying to put a good swing on it, and roll the best ball possible.”
Higugo played in the final group with Scotty Scheffler at the Procol Championship last month, where he finished seventh.
“I seem to be playing well,” Higugo said. “I think we all always have patient. A few weeks are easier than the other.”