Tulsa, United States, May 20 (AFP\/APP):Justin Thomas battled through blustery conditions to seize the early lead in Friday’s second round of the PGA Championship as 18-hole pace-setter Rory McIlroy teed off at daunting Southern Hills.<\/p>\n
Ninth-ranked Thomas, the 2017 PGA champion, sank a nine-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole, his last of the day, to shoot a second consecutive three-under par 67 and swipe the outright lead in the clubhouse on six-under 134.<\/p>\n
“Very pleased,” Thomas said. “Although I played solid yesterday, I played really well today. The conditions were obviously very difficult. I stayed very patient, tried to get in my own little world and get in a zone and just tried to execute each shot the best I could.<\/p>\n
“I felt we did a great job of that and I’m glad to have a good round to show for it.”<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old American grinded through what he called brutal winds Friday with gusts above 40 mph, opening and closing with birdies and adding two more on par-5 holes against a lone bogey.<\/p>\n
Four-time major winner McIlroy fired a 65 on Thursday to seize a one-shot lead over Americans Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge and all three were set for afternoon starts.<\/p>\n
McIlroy, chasing his first major title since the 2014 PGA, fired his best opening round at a major since a 65 at the 2011 US Open at Congressional on the way to his first major title.<\/p>\n
McIlroy, Tiger Woods — in the second event of his comeback from severe leg injuries — and Jordan Spieth, trying to complete a career Grand Slam, took to the course before a huge crowd.<\/p>\n
Thomas rolled in a six-foot birdie putt at the 10th and followed at 13 by dropping his approach inside four feet of the cup and sinking the putt.<\/p>\n
Thomas found a bunker and made bogey at the par-3 14th then made eight pars before sinking a 23-foot birdie putt at the par-5 fifth, setting the stage for his closing glory.<\/p>\n
“I played really well,” Thomas said. “Getting the ball in the fairway I could flight the ball onto the green and get a birdie putt and that’s what I did a lot.<\/p>\n
“If I keep doing what I’m doing and stay patient, I like what’s in store for the week.”<\/p>\n
After nearly five years of frustration trying to duplicate his breakthrough major victory at Quail Hollow, Thomas feels comfortable with the course, his game and his mindset.<\/p>\n
“I like this golf course. I feel like I’m playing well. We’re halfway through so it’s still a long way from home,” Thomas said. “But I’m very pleased with where everything is at and the frame of mind and state of mind that I’m in.”<\/p>\n
– Tiger on the cut line –<\/p>\n
Woods, in his second event of a comeback from severe leg injuries suffered in a February 2021 car crash, struggled to an opening 74 and said his surgically repaired right leg was hurting.<\/p>\n
The 15-time major winner placed 47th in his return in April’s Masters, where he said just walking 72 holes was an achievement.<\/p>\n
But with a projected cut at 4-over, the 46-year-old star was in jeopardy of not reaching the weekend at Southern Hills.<\/p>\n
The world’s three top-ranked golfers were grouped in a major for the first time since the 2013 US Open but all were over par overall.<\/p>\n
Spain’s second-ranked Jon Rahm, the reigning US Open champion from Spain who could return to number one with a victory, shot 69 to stand on 142.<\/p>\n
Top-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who has won four of his past eight starts, fired a 75 to stand on 146 with two-time major winner Dustin Johnson.<\/p>\n
Third-ranked US compatriot Collin Morikawa, the reigning British Open champion, fired his second 72 to stand on the cut line at 144.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tulsa, United States, May 20 (AFP\/APP):Justin Thomas battled through blustery conditions to seize the early lead in Friday’s second round of the PGA Championship as 18-hole pace-setter Rory McIlroy teed off at daunting Southern Hills. Ninth-ranked Thomas, the 2017 PGA champion, sank a nine-foot birdie […]<\/p>\n
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