LOS ANGELES (USA): American Justin Thomas fired a seven-under par 65 to grab a one-stroke lead after Friday’s second round of the Zozo Championship.
The 2017 PGA Championship winner birdied seven of the first 12 holes in a bogey-free round to stand on 14-under 130 after 36 holes at Sherwood Country Club.
“Got off to a hot start today and kind of coasted coming in,” said Thomas, seeking his third US PGA title of the year. “If you are getting the ball in play off the tee there are so many scoring clubs. You can attack it if you are really playing well.”
South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli and American Lanto Griffin each closed with a bogey to settle for 65 and sharing second on 131 with Americans Patrick Cantlay and Scottie Scheffler sharing fourth on 132 after 65s.
A pack on 133 included Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed, who each shot 63, and fellow American Richy Werenski, who set a course record with a 61.
He made six birdies on both the front and back nine against a lone bogey at the par-4 sixth to break the old mark of 62 set by Tiger Woods.
Defending Zozo champion Woods, who won last year in Japan before the event was moved to suburban Los Angeles due to the Covid-19 pandemic, opened with a 76 but bounced back with a 66, matching his best since last year’s Zozo.
“I hit the ball so much better,” Woods said. “Today was a lot more sharp and a lot more crisp and clean.”
Woods birdied four of the first six holes and two of the last three but still shared 66th in a field of 77. He had four birdies and a par on the par-5 holes after going 3-over on them Thursday.
“Yesterday was not very good,” Woods said. “I really didn’t swing the club that poorly. I was just a fraction off and I got out of position a couple times. It just snowballed into a high number. Was never really able to get any kind of momentum going.
