Aaron Baddeley could make waves early as round two reaches conclusion

Sky Sports Golf, Saturday 6pm

Shane Lowry has gone clear at the top of the leaderboard in the Heritage at the Harbour Town Links, South Carolina, but the Irishman has two tricky holes to play before completing his second round.

Bad weather forced a suspension midway through round two and pre-tournament 125-1 chance Lowry had to spend several hours in the clubhouse twiddling his thumbs. He got back out on the course, though, to reach nine under par through 16 holes, with the 172-yard par-three and a 463-yard par-four to come.

Lowry, who is scheduled to resume his round at 12.45pm UK and Ireland time, has shortened in the outright betting to 7-1. The 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational winner is a stateside champion who won on the European Tour – the Abu Dhabi Championship – in January. He loves links golf, too, so the Harbour Town Links appeals.

Dismal recent form was the reason why Lowry started this week such a big price. He has not made a US Tour cut this season. That dire run will be ended in the Heritage, but Lowry has much work to do if he is to claim a second US Tour title.

Ante-post 8-1 favourite, Dustin Johnson, is tied for third place, just two shots behind Lowry at this stage, and the world number one showed plenty of application during a second-round 67 in the difficult morning conditions. If Johnson is up for it, the rest of the field could be in trouble, and bookmakers have chalked up defensive Saturday-morning quotes of around 5-2.

A sunny, breezy day, with no suspensions, is expected. Johnson obviously deserves respect, while Lowry could easily drop a shot as he finishes round two, with the 18th always providing a particularly challenging approach shot.

Former Heritage champion Aaron Baddeley – three under par through ten holes of round two – is a tempting 100-1 chance given he has eight holes with which to close in on the leaders before the final two rounds.

Patrick Cantlay and Kevin Kisner – both available at 66-1 – look dangerous weekend pursuers from six shots behind. And Jason Kokrak, only four behind and 40-1, has given himself another decent chance of a maiden US Tour triumph.

Recommendation
A Baddeley
0.5pt each-way 100-1 BoyleSports, SkyBet

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