Last year’s champ in charity golf tourney ousted

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009 | 7:03 p.m.

Justin Timberlake Pro-Am Tournament

Launch slideshow »

Marc Turnesa, last year’s champion in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, did not make the cut to continue on after posting a 1-under for the first two days of competition.

It’s been a rough year from Turnesa. After ending last year with a victory at TPC Summerlin, he has not finished higher than 30th in any tournament this year.

Troy Matteson tied for lead

Troy Matteson was one of the first golfers into the clubhouse on Friday.

It looked like someone would surpass him for the lead at 13-under, but that never happened as Matteson goes into the weekend tied with Chad Campbell.

Sound familiar? Matteson won Las Vegas’ PGA Tournament in 2006 after he got off to a strong start.

“I’ve obviously had a lot of success here,” Matteson said.

Last year’s runner-up, Matt Kuchar, in the hunt

Matt Kuchar says he has fond memories of TPC Summerlin from last year’s tournament.

Of course he does. Kuchar came in second and one shot behind champion Marc Turnesa.

Kuchar has picked up where he left off this week. Through two days, he is at 12-under and one shot from the lead.

“From last year, it helps to have a little extra course knowledge,” Kuchar said. “Some of the putts are tricky out there with breaks you don’t think about.”

Kuchar also won last week’s PGA Tournament event at Turning Stone in Verona, N.Y. Kuchar said his improved game on the greens was the biggest reason for his recent success.

“I haven’t found myself in trouble,” Kuchar said. “I’ve been putting myself in position to make birdies.”

Former Rebels in the running

All five UNLV graduates in the field of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open made the cut Friday.

While Chad Campbell and Ryan Moore — who are in first and second, respecively — had the most impressive days, the other three did not disappoint local fans.

Chris Riley shot a 7-under 64 to bounce back from a 2-over 73 round on Thursday. Riley is six strokes from the lead.

Bill Lunde was one of the final players to make the cut at 4-under through two days. Lunde’s childhood friend and UNLV teammate Charley Hoffman is at 7-under after shooting a 2-under 69 Thursday.