Hebert Takes PGA Lead After Second Round
January One Stroke Back; Palmer and Snead Recover Late to Stay in Contention
AKRON, Ohio, July 22 — Jay Hebert moved to the front of the PGA Championship field today with a three‑under‑par 67, giving him a 36‑hole total of 139 on the long and demanding Firestone Country Club course. Hebert, playing in the cooler morning hours, posted his score before the heat and afternoon winds stiffened, and his lead held throughout the day.
Don January, steady for the second straight round, followed with another even‑par 70 for a total of 140, placing him one stroke behind Hebert.
Palmer and Snead Struggle Early
Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead, who had led after the opening round, faltered badly on the outward nine. Snead posted a 38 and Palmer a 39, both well off their usual pace. Each regained control on the inward nine, finishing in even par to stand at 141.
Doug Sanders, runner‑up in last year’s PGA, also reached 141 after adding a 71 to his opening 70.
Course Conditions Challenge Field
Firestone’s 7,165 yards, narrow fairways, and heavy rough proved punishing as the day wore on. The breeze stiffened in the afternoon, and only one player besides Hebert broke par — Fred Hawkins, who returned a late 69 to join Ken Venturi and John O’Donnell at 142.
Paul Harney and Fred Haas, both surprising with 69s in the first round, slipped to 78 and 77 respectively.
The gallery reached 12,470, a second‑day record for the PGA Championship.
Cut Set at 151
A score of 151 was required to advance to Saturday’s third round, after which only the low 60 and ties will qualify for Sunday’s final 18 holes. Former champions Chandler Harper, Vic Ghezzi, and Denny Shute failed to make the cut.
Ben Hogan, returning to the PGA after many years, posted a 73 for a 147 total. He remarked afterward that it was the first time he could recall playing two rounds without a single birdie.
Hebert Finishes Strong
Hebert’s round included birdies at the third, fifth, and ninth holes, giving him an outward 33. He added another at the 17th with a 15‑foot putt and nearly holed a 40‑footer at the 18th.
Venturi, needing a birdie at the last to match Hebert, instead took a double bogey. His drive landed in rough between two trees, and his attempt to fade a five‑iron struck a branch and rebounded. He reached the green in three but missed a four‑foot putt.
Play continues Saturday with the third round.
Courtesy of The San Francisco Chronicle July 23, 1960 via Newspapers.com