Billy Hurley III, of Annapolis, Md., speaks to the media after his second round at the 2011 Children’s Hospital Classic Friday at the Black Creek Club in Chattanooga.John Mallinger spent the last five summers on the PGA Tour and accumulated more than $5.4 million in winnings.
But he finished No. 168 on the PGA Tour money list and missed the FedEx Cup playoffs this year, so he returned to the Nationwide Tour and is having unparalleled success over the last six tournaments. That includes the last two days at Black Creek Club.
Mallinger leads the Children’s Hospital Classic at 13-under-par 131 through the first two rounds.
“I’m holing putts and going at flags more because I have a better chance of holing that putt,” Mallinger said. “I feel like I’ve been playing well all year, but now it’s finally going and this is where I need to be right now.”
Billy Hurley III and 2004 Classic champion Justin Bolli are one shot back. Brice Garnett is third at 133. Aaron Watkins, Brett Wetterich, first-round leader Nicholas Thompson and 2006 Classic champion Kyle Reifers are all three shots off the lead.