* Watson grabs one-shot lead at the TPC Louisiana
* Eagles the 11th hole for second day in a row (updates at end of day)
NEW ORLEANS, April 29 (Reuters) – Long-hitting American Bubba Watson eagled the par-five 11th for a second consecutive day on his way to a one-shot lead in the second round of the New Orleans Classic on Friday.
Joint pacesetter overnight with Australian Matt Jones, the left-hander fired a four-under-par 68 in dazzling sunshine at the TPC Louisiana and stayed in front of the late starters as the greens firmed up and wind strengthened in the afternoon.
The 32-year-old Watson, from nearby Bagdad in the Florida panhandle, also recorded three birdies and a lone bogey to take control of the PGA Tour event with a 10-under total of 134.
American Josh Teater, a rookie on the circuit last year, briefly got to 11 under before double-bogeying the last for a 66 and second place.
John Rollins carded a 69 to lie third at eight under, a stroke in front of fellow Americans Jason Dufner (69), Webb Simpson (69) and Dean Wilson (64), plus Australians John Senden (67) and Jones (71).
Watson, who clinched his second PGA Tour victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January, was delighted to be heading into the weekend in contention for another title.
“This is what we strive to do,” the slim American told reporters. “We always want the pressure. We always want the nerves, the butterflies. We’re trying to win golf tournaments.
“I’ve gotten lucky enough to win two so far and I’m trying to go for my third. It would be nice to pull it off here in New Orleans … two and a half hours away from where I grew up.
“I’ve just putted really well, hit a lot of good tee shots and stayed out of the water as much as possible.”
WEEKEND STRATEGY
Asked if his strategy would change for the weekend, Watson replied: “No. If I could play the same the next two days, I have a great shot at winning.”
On Thursday, Watson eagled the 11th after hitting a booming 343-yard drive followed by a soaring six-iron over a cypress tree that landed 32 feet from the pin.
On Friday, he eagled the same hole after belting his tee shot 329 yards down the fairway, striking his second from 244 yards to 20 feet and coolly knocking in the putt.
“Yeah, that hole was good for me,” he said with a smile. “I hit two good shots. The fairway and tee shot was a little scary for me but it worked out today.”
British world number three Luke Donald, beaten in a playoff for The Heritage on Sunday, was hot on Watson’s heels with seven holes to play before losing momentum.
Eight under overall, Donald bogeyed the third, his 12th hole of the day, and then double-bogeyed the fourth before carding a 71 to end the round five strokes off the pace.
“You’re going to make a few mistakes occasionally,” said the Englishman, who could become world number one with victory this week. “Up until then I played pretty solid golf.
“Through 29 holes, I only missed a couple greens. But I’m still there or thereabouts and the greens are only going to get firmer. It will be a tough weekend.”
The cut fell at one-under 143 with last week’s Heritage champion Brandt Snedeker, former world number one David Duval and U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell among those missing out.
(Editing by Frank Pingue/Nick Mulvenney; To query or comment on this story email [email protected])
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Golf-Eagle hunter Watson takes charge in New Orleans (Reuters)