Charl Schwartzel recovered with a back nine 31 to get his day under par in the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic on Friday, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Schwartzel needed something special to make the weekend after going out in three-over 38 as the cut line moved to even par. A birdie on the 11th was undone on the next before he missed the green in relegation on the 13th, 17th and 18th holes and each time failed to one-putt his way to par.
A 17-footer at the first helped him start his recovery work before he reached the green in two on the par-five 3rd and settled for a tap-in birdie to get his day looking a little brighter. Schwartzel then got back to level for the day with a booming 337-yard drive that set up a 90-yard wedge to 12 foot.
Again, he made no mistake as he rolled in the putt to completely erase any doubts of being around on the weekend.
Schwartzel sank another 17-footer, this time on the par-three 8th to move to -1 for the day and take his tally to -3 at the halfway point, seven strokes behind Dustin Johnson.
The now former world No 1, who can regain his top spot with a win this week ahead of Shinnecock Hills next week, fired a seven-under 63 for his lowest round this year as he grabbed a one-stroke lead on Friday. DJ had four of his seven birdies and an eagle on his back nine for a 29 and finished at -10.
Ryan Blaum and Andrew Putnam each shot 64 and were tied second, and CT Pan (65) and Wesley Bryan (66) followed at eight under.
Brandt Snedeker, now -7, shot his best round this year with a 62 that was one stroke off the course record.
Retief Goosen joins Schwartzel in the weekend action but will be looking for an improved performance after a +2 72 on Friday dropped him to -1 through 36 holes.
Photo: Sarah Crabill/Getty Images
