Scott Piercy birdied his final hole to grab a one-shot lead going into round three of the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges on Jeju Island on Friday.
Piercy produced a flawless seven-under-par 65 including four birdies on his inward nine to move out in front with two-time US Open champion and reigning Player of the Year Brooks Koepka one back.
Koepka is looking to add a regular PGA Tour event to his trophy cabinet with his three Majors taking up most of the space while his win at the 2015 Phoenix Open remains his only regular tour win. A victory this week will also move him from third to first in the official world golf rankings.
The 28-year-old eagled his final hole en route to matching Piercy’s second round score with a lone-drop – a bogey at the 9th – his only mistake as the duo moved slightly further away from the chasing pack. Overnight leader Chez Reavie is third alone at -6 with Ryder Cup duo Alex Noren and Ian Poulter sharing fourth at -5.
Noren jumped 43 places in round two after his flawless 65 helped him produce a nine-stroke turnaround between his Thursday and Friday.
Louis Oosthuizen, who remains South Africa’s highest-ranked player this week, bogeyed his first hole (the 10th) but made the turn in -1 thanks to gains at the 13th and 17th before coming home in nine straight pars.
Ernie Els matched his countryman’s tally and is level par through 36, one back of Oosthuizen.
Charl Schwartzel shares 56th place after a second round 70 in the no-cut event with Branden Grace in the bunch at +4 at the halfway mark after rounds of 75 and 73.
