Friday"s golf roundup: Three from Michigan in hunt at Honda Classic

Doug LaBelle II was skeptical about his chances entering this week’s Honda Classic because he spent last week househunting and didn’t follow his typical preparation schedule.

Apparently, the diversion didn’t hurt him too much because the Mount Pleasant native finished Friday tied for fifth place at 6-under par, and is one of three Michigan natives in the top 17 after two rounds at the PGA National Championship Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

“I thought I was a little behind in my practice, and I felt like I was cramming Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for an exam,” LaBelle said. “I haven’t exactly felt the most comfortable out there, but I’ve been able to manage my game well enough to have a chance to score.”

On a day when world No. 1 and reigning tournament champion Rory McIlroy walked off the course citing wisdom tooth pain, and a rookie stormed out to a lead, Michigan’s four PGA Tour members all went under par and made the cut.

LaBelle opened with a 4-under 66 Thursday and followed with a 68 Friday, and he’s just three shots back of leader Luke Guthrie (9-under), who shot a 63 in the second round.

Brian Stuard of Jackson and Tom Gillis of Lake Orion both finished 5-under Friday and are tied for 11th with five other players.

Stuard, who played the first two rounds with LaBelle, shot 69 Friday after posting a 66 Thursday. Gillis followed his opening-round 67 with a 68.

“I played pretty good the first two days,” Stuard said. “I probably played better today, but just didn’t putt as good.”

Justin Hicks of Grosse Ile finished 1-under and narrowly made the 1-over cut thanks to birdies on 15 and 16. He finished with a 68 Friday after posting a 71 Thursday and is tied for 43rd.

Although the local golfers grew up in Michigan, there is a bit of home cooking down in Florida. Gillis lives in Jupiter, which is only about 10 miles from the course, and LaBelle is staying with his mother, who also lives nearby.

Gillis’ second place at last year’s Honda Classic was his best career finish, just two shots behind champion McIlroy.

LaBelle tied for 13th at the event in 2007.

“This is a very good golf course for me because it demands course management, and that, to me, is a strength of mine,” he said.

Hicks finished tied for 17th at the tournament in 2011. Stuard missed the cut in 2010.

“I didn’t play very well last time we were here, so it was nice to put that behind me and go out and start fresh,” Stuard said. “I think I’m just feeling more confident with my game (because I) know the course a little bit.”

Whether his pain was mental or dental, Rory McIlroy walked off the course in the middle of his round and invited even more scrutiny of golf’s No. 1 player.

McIlroy already was 7-over par through eight holes when he hit his second shot into the water on the par-5 18th and didn’t bother hitting another shot. He shook hands with Ernie Els and Mark Wilson, turned in his scorecard and walked straight to the parking lot.

An hour later, his management company issued a statement that the 23-year-old McIlroy couldn’t concentrate because of a sore wisdom tooth.

His abrupt departure only added to the sloppy start to his young season, and raised concerns with the Masters just more than a month away. In three tournaments, he has missed the cut in Abu Dhabi, lost in the first round of the Match Play Championship and withdrew after 26 holes at PGA National.

“His demeanor looks a little different,” said Graeme McDowell, one of his best friends. “I felt like he was a little off with his golf swing on the range. There were a few moans and groans coming from the bay next to me. It’s normally a display. It’s normally a clinic. It’s superlatives coming from the coach and the caddie. That’s the sign of a guy who’s lacking a little technique in his swing and a little belief in his game.”

In the parking lot, McIlroy was asked three times if anything was wrong physically and he said no. Golfweek maga ine reported he was near tears.

“There’s not really much I can say, guys,” McIlroy said. “I’m not in a good place mentally, you know?”

Els also hit into the water on the 18th and was complaining to a rules official about the muddy conditions of the fairway when he figured out McIlroy was through.

“I was dropping my ball and I reali ed he wasn’t dropping his ball,” Els said. “I thought maybe his ball crossed further up (the ha ard). When I hit my fourth shot, he just came up and said, ‘Here’s my card. I’m out of here.’”

LPGA

Stacy Lewis made six birdies to shoot a 6-under 66 and take a two-stroke lead after Friday’s second round of the HSBC Women’s Champions at Singapore. The reigning LPGA Player of the Year was at 11-under 133 overall.

She led a pack of six players at 9-under: Ariya Jutanugarn (66), Na Yeon Choi (66), Chella Choi (67), Paula Creamer (67), Sun Young Yoon (68) and overnight leader A ahara Muno (70).

jkat enstein@detroitnews.com

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Associated Press contributed.

Michigan connection

All four Michigan PGA golfers made the cut at the Honda Classic (Luke Guthrie leads after two rounds with a 9-under 131):
Doug LaBelle II 66-68 —134 (-6)
Brian Stuard 66-69 —135 (-5)
Tom Gillis 67-68 — 135(-5)
Justin Hicks 71-68 — 139 (-1)

Friday"s golf roundup: Three from Michigan in hunt at Honda Classic