Windy Doral takes its toll on golfers at Cadillac Championship

DORAL, Fla. --After playing 16 holes Thursday, Jason Dufner said the redesigned Blue Monster at Trump National Doral had a major championship feel.

On Friday, with a howling wind turning even good shots into penalty strokes, the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship seemed more like the final day of a British Open.

Patrick Reed completed his first round, which was delayed by rain, then suspended because of darkness, at four-under-par 68 Friday morning. That gave him a one-shot lead over six players.

Friday afternoon, in winds of 20-30 mph, Reed shot a 75 with three bogeys and a double bogey to drop to one under for the tournament, but that was still good enough to put him in a four-way tie for first with Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson and Hunter Mahan, who each shot 74.

“Today was a lot tougher than yesterday,” Reed said. “It was one of those days that the wind was blowing so hard, greens are starting to get crusty and fast and firm and it just seemed like the ball never would really settle on the greens.”

Only three players broke par, Jamie Donaldson leading the 68-player field with a 70. Only four players matched par. The average score for the day was 76.

Tiger Woods finished his first round at four over, started his second round with two birdies and ended up shooting 73.

Dufner, who was three under after his first round, had four bogeys on his front nine to go out in 40 and shot 77. Harris English also followed a 69 with a 77.

Francesco Molinari started the day at three under and shot three over to get into a tie for fifth at even-par 144 with Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Donaldson.

“I have to say, 75 in these conditions, I’m quite pleased with it,” Molinari said. “It’s playing really, really tough. As tough as you can imagine.”

McDowell said the day “was just brutally difficult,” and he shot a 71 with two birdies and one bogey.

“I don’t think I’ve played in conditions this difficult in the U.S.,” McDowell said. “It’s an Open Championship day.”

There were 113 balls hit in the water during the second round. Woods hit a “perfect” drive on the par-five 8th hole and watched it roll into the water bordering the left side.

“Right down the middle of the fairway with a three-wood, just ran out too far,” said Woods, who made par and was tied for 25th.

“A lot of times you’re going to hit great shots that are going to end up in bad spots and you’re going to hit poor shots that end up in great spots,” Reed said. “Especially a golf course like this.”