Players struggling at Riviera Country Club

Riviera Country Club has bared its teeth through two rounds of the Northern Trust Open with just two Australians making the cut.

New South Welshman Matt Jones and Victorian Geoff Ogilvy ground their way into the weekend but they have given up a significant start to leader Retief Goosen given the toughness of the track.

Jones put together a one-over 72 to land at even-par 142 and six shots off the pace at the halfway point while Ogilvy battled to a 76 to be two over.

In firm, fast and breezy conditions two-time major winner Goosen (70) buried a final hole birdie putt from just outside 30 feet to thrust out of a logjam and into the outright lead at six-under-par 136.

Canadian Graham DeLaet was the pick of the chasers, catapulting his way into the mix with a 67 to join Americans Ryan Moore (68) and Justin Thomas (69) in second place at five under.

Two-time major winning Argentine Angel Cabrera (68) is fifth at four under with defending champion Bubba Watson (69) and young gun Jordan Spieth (70) part of a group at three under.

Jones, who likened conditions to major championship golf, was left to rue two double bogeys on his cards, one late in round one and another early in round two, leaving him with aggressive goals for the weekend.

“I am close to a good round and I know if I shoot two 68s on the weekend at worst case I am probably finishing top five given how tough it is,” Jones said.

“So that’s the goal, two 68s is my number because its going to be very hard on the weekend and I know it would go a very long way.

“The greens are as firm as a US Open and the pins are tucked so it’s certainly not easy.

“I’ve just had two bad holes really and not really even bad shots but this set up can punish you.

“I plugged a driver in the bunker yesterday so a little unlucky there and today had 139 yards, landed it 129 with a wedge and it bounced over the green to death.

“I’m still happy where I am given the conditions.”

Ogilvy, who started his second round just two off the pace, fell victim to the diabolical drivable par four 10th hole.

Starting his round at 10 Ogilvy took a double bogey six and while he birdied the following hole he couldn’t find his complete rhythm and added four more bogeys on his round.

John Senden (+4), Robert Allenby (+5), Aaron Baddeley (+5), Steven Bowditch (+6) and Marc Leishman (+8) all missed the cut.

The poor result could prove costly for Leishman as he will fall out of the world top 50 on the eve of a cut off to get an invite to the World Golf Championships Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral in a fortnight.

Leishman can squeeze his way into the field if he returns inside the top 50 after next week’s Honda Classic in Florida.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!