The resume itself looks like the sunny, postcard-perfect picture blanking the Ozarks this weekend: A decade ago, he helped steer a national golf championship right into Texas A&M’s trophy case. Two years ago, he became a card-carrying member the PGA TOUR.
Now Conrad Shindler is stalking success come Saturday and Sunday at Highland Springs Country Club.
Shindler finished Friday’s morning second round still tied atop the leaderboard – this time, with Jonathan Randolph, who incredibly double-eagled No. 8 – in the PGA Korn Ferry Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper.
The cut was made in the evening, with Shindler and Randolph – both are PCCC alums — both sitting at 14-under-par 130 after carding a 66 and 67, respectively. Carl Yuan was in third at 11-under.
SHINDLER’S DAY
It’s obviously an encouraging position for Shindler, who had 20 starts on the PGA TOUR last year but didn’t retain his card after finishing 192nd in the standings. But, after a slow start this season, he’s finding momentum. And, at age 31, he seems to know his game – and Highland Springs. He birdied seven holes Friday and withstood bogeys on No. 4 and 14.
“You know where not to miss it,” Shindler said with a sheepish grin, noting he finished 16th here in 2017, before then noting his game has matured thanks, in part, to PGA players Todd Hamilton, Ryan Palmer and K.J. Choi.
“When you are younger, you think you can’t be touched and can just fire anything,” Shindler added. “I’ve learned to play my game around the course. That’s a big thing for a lot of young players to learn.”
RANDOLPH’S DAY
Meanwhile, Ole Miss alum Randolph has double-eagle to his name. That’s a hard trick to pull on the par 5 No. 8. The yardage is 544 yards, but the tee box sits atop an extended hill, with a water hazard – and the green – out of sight.
“I couldn’t figure out where it went, and I assumed it didn’t go in the hole. I looked all around the green and someone peaked in the hole when I was about to go hit another one,” Randolph said.
Randolph, who had five birdies, nine pars and two bogeys (No. 4 and 18) has focused on par 5 holes this year.
“These par-5s set up really well for me, not like too well – I’m not supposed to make double eagles,” Randolph said. “They’re really good distances for me, and if you can go out and play the par-5s 3-under each day then that’s 12-under to start out with.”
Thursday’s co-leader, Grant Hirshman, fell back into a tie for eighth (9-under par). Joplin’s Ryan Wallen finished 2-over-par 146 after two rounds and likely wouldn’t make the cut.
TICKETS
The $25 TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes tickets remain available. They are good for a grounds-pass both days, with grand prizes being a 2019 Toyota Tundra or $10,000. A daily badge is $10.
$100 raffle
The PCCC is raffling a seven-night stay at gated Mexico resort with six ocean-facing suites. It’s $100 to enter.