Xander Schauffele has stormed into the lead at the CJ Cup after a magnificent eight-under-par 64 for his second round on Friday, giving him a three-shot lead at Shadow Creek Golf Course.
Starting on the 10th tee, the American was flawless throughout his round as he made a staggering seven birdies on his first nine holes, the lowest in his career.
It included six consecutive birdies from the 13th to the 18th holes as Schauffele rocketed up the leaderboard.
READ: Louis makes steady start at CJ Cup
The 26-year-old was a bit more quiet as he came home, though, but managed to sink an eighth birdie putt on the 17th hole to end the day on 14 under par.
‘Some of those holes, you’re not really trying to birdie them, you’re just trying to leave yourself an uphill 35-footer. And, fortunately, I made a couple of them,’ Schauffele said after his round on Friday.
‘It was a nice stretch. Got a little bit stale there on the other side. Pace of play slowed down a lot, kind of hot, easy to let the mind wander.
‘Upset I didn’t make more birdies, but pleased I didn’t make any bogeys.’
Lowest career nine hole score on TOUR
132′ 10″ of putts made
1st in SG: Tee to green
2nd in SG: Around the green
2nd in Scrambling
3rd in SG: Putting@XSchauffele is locked in at Shadow Creek. pic.twitter.com/yRyKbOR93k— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 17, 2020
Schauffele’s fantastic round had him hit the front with a three-stroke gap over Tyrrell Hatton, who shot a four-under 68 for his second round, which means he will head into moving day on 11 under for the week.
South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen unfortunately struggled a bit during his second round and had to settle for a one-over-par 73, dropping a shot to finish one under for the event.
Countryman Dylan Frittelli managed to stay even for his second round in Las Vegas and will head into the weekend still on two over par.
