August 22, 2009 (Updated August 23) –Arguably the two greatest golfers in the history of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) golf program shared the lead after two rounds of the PGA Tour's Wyndham Championship. The two were at 11-under par heading into the third round and are paired together. Riley was the first 4-time All-American in any sport at UNLV while Moore was the 2004 NCAA champion and a 4-time All-American himself. Riley started the final round in the lead with Sergio Garcia, while Moore fell back. Midway through the final round, Riley was 3 behind. Weather was a huge factor all week. Moore is now in a playoff while Riley fell back. Complete report to follow. LIVE WYNDHAM RESULTS.
Moore is pleased with his play to this point. "My ball striking is solid," said Moore. "I'm just putting it in play which is what you have to do on this course and, you know, I'm hitting my irons solid, not amazing but solid, and just hitting a lot of greens and just what I do. For me, that's all I'm trying to do is give myself opportunities."
Riley fired a red-hot 63 in the second round to shoot up the leaderboard. "Today I was going out there, me and my caddy said let's have a solid round, not have any mistakes," said Riley. "Fortunately, (that's what) I did. I didn't make any bogies and I made 7 birdies. It was a really good round. I'm playing this golf course a little bit different than maybe some other guys. I'm hitting a lot of hybrids and 3-woods off the tee because the rough is pretty thick so I'm just trying to keep the ball in the fairway. I don't mind hitting a 2 iron, 7 iron or 3-wood, 6 iron compared to guys hitting driver and missing fairways. So, I'm pretty happy with my round and actually I'm delighted with my round. 63. I don't think I've shot that too much but it's been going well the last month."
PGATour.com writer Brian Wacker had this to say about Riley and his success at the Wyndham: "Chris Riley has always been able to roll the rock — each of the last five years, including this one, he's ranked in the top 20 on the PGA TOUR in putts per round. He's been incredibly consistent, too, averaging somewhere between 28.23 and 28.61 putts in that span. So what's the difference this week for a guy who hasnt finished inside the top 150 on the money list since 2004? For one, he's hitting more greens in regulation. He's also making the putts that count with a dozen birdies through two rounds, which ranks fourth in the field. See the chart below for more."
Riley said he only used a driver four times during his Friday round of 63 but he still averaged 271 yards off the tee going mostly with 3-wood. "It's a pretty cool golf course because you can really take it however you want," said Riley. "If you want to challenge it and have wedges in your hand, you hit drivers. If you don't, then you hit whatever." Riley also said he didn't care what his fellow playing partners thought about the move and if they were hitting it past him. And when you shoot 63, that pretty much shuts people up.