Shane Lowry continued his strong play at the rain-delayed RBC Heritage, moving to 9-under par with two holes left when the second round was suspended Friday because of bad light.
Ernie Els was -2 for the round with 8 holes to play, with Branden Grace +1 (10 holes) for the day and in danger of missing the cut
Lowry opened play at Harbour Town Golf Links with a 6-under 65 and quickly worked through the gears in round two with birdies on the first and second holes before storms swept the island resort area.
Justin Harding will miss the cut after a 72 added to his opening 74
After waiting out a delay of nearly four hours, Lowry played consistently enough to keep in front. Trey Mullinax was a stroke behind after a 68. Dustin Johnson and Emiliano Grillo were 7-under after 67s.
Lowry was among 56 players who’ll return Saturday morning to complete the second round before starting the third.
Charl Schwartzel’s wretched run will continue with another missed cut, despite three back nine birdies getting him back to level for Friday; he is +3 for the event with 3 holes to play
Johnson, second at the Masters last week, had his fifth round in the 60s in his past six here. He stood over a birdie putt on his final hole, the ninth, when officials blew the horn. But players had the option to finish out, and Johnson secured a par as he looks to a win in just his second tournament here after a decade-long hiatus.
‘Just keep doing exactly what I’ve been doing,’ he said. ‘I’m swinging well, placing the ball where I want to. Hopefully, I can roll in a few putts over the weekend.’
CT, Pan had the best round of the day at 65 and was tied with Rory Sabbatini (69) at 6-under.
Ian Poulter led a group of 11 players who were four behind Lowry at 5-under.
The Englishman was among the lucky early finishers with a 67, carding six birdies during an 11-hole stretch. He held a one-shot lead after 54 holes at this tournament a year ago before ballooning to a 75 on Sunday to fall from contention.
‘I’ve had some decent rounds around this place,’ he said. ‘I haven’t really finished the week off properly yet.’
