August 9, 2009–Las Vegas golfer Chris Riley's mindset on the greens is that he can make anything from anywhere. And during the second round of the PGA Tour's Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, Riley pretty much did make everything when he fired a 27 over the front nine holes of Montreux Golf and Country Club. "I thought I could shoot 55 today," Riley told the media following the round. "I was feeling that good. Then it's weird how your mind just turns on you. It was so easy and effortless. I was feeling great. Didn't really get real nervous." LIVE RESULTS.
Unfortunately for Riley, who formerly lived full-time in the Las Vegas area and was a 4-time All-American at UNLV, his PGA Tour-tying round (through nine holes) derailed with bogeys on 10 and 11 and only a sole birdie at the par 4, 14th hole coming in so he settled for an 8-under par, 64, on the day. "I mean, walking to 10, you get a lot of thoughts in your head," said Riley. "It was interesting. And I made — the only time I really got nervous was on 11, 3-putted from like 10 feet. Then I just got kind of pissed off, said just play golf." When in Las Vegas, Riley spends time playing and practicing at TPC Las Vegas.
Riley's front nine included five birdies and two eagles. Riley won the 2002 Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, but during the second round set the nine-hole tournament record with his 9-under 27 that included a chip-in at the par-5 ninth. The last 27 on the PGA TOUR came courtesy of Brandt Snedeker in 2007 at the Buick Invitational on Torrey Pines Golf Course's North Course. Riley began his second round by posting six consecutive 3s on his scorecard (four birdies, one par, one eagle) before adding another birdie at the par-3 seventh hole to get to 7-under through the first seven holes. Riley missed a birdie putt at the par-4 eighth from just inside 11 feet to post his second par of the round. Riley went on to fire a 71 in the third round and was in a tie for 6th entering the final round.
There are many other Las Vegas golfers who were playing in the event including new resident Kevin Na, who was in a tie for 9th entering the final round. Rich Barcelo, who played college golf at the University of Reno, was in a tie for 9th. His ties to Las Vegas include being sponsored by Harvey Whittemore, the owner of Coyote Springs that is the sprawling planned city about 50 miles north of Las Vegas that is home to Jack Nicklaus' Chase at PGA Golf Club, Coyote Springs. The Chase has been named by the nation's top three consumer golf publications, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Travel+Leisure Golf, as one of the "Best New Courses of 2008." Coyote Springs is a resort course open to all Las Vegas golfers. Click now for direct Las Vegas golf tee times at PGA Golf Club.
Las Vegas' Alex Cejka was also having a good tournament as he was in a tie for 14th entering the final round. He lives in the Summerlin area. Las Vegas resident Scott Piercy was in 47th; former resident Tommy Armour III (returning from back surgery) was in a tie for 63rd; residents Bill Lunde and Craig Barlow missed the cut as did former UNLV Rebels James Oh and Charley Hoffman. Former Las Vegas resident Robert Gamez continues to struggle as he fired rounds of 85-78. Gamez is a three-time PGA Tour champion who now lives in Florida.