KAPALUA, Hawaii — Winless final 12 months for the primary time in his younger profession, Collin Morikawa is taking part in as if he desires to place that behind him shortly.
Morikawa was dialed in along with his irons early and took benefit of a number of the scoring holes late in his second spherical Friday for a 7-under 66 that gave him a two-shot lead within the Sentry Match of Champions.
He was at 16-under 130 and and not using a bogey over two rounds on the Plantation Course at Kapalua.
Masters champion Scottie Scheffler had a great snort on the primary tee with U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick after which ran off 9 birdies in his spherical of 66, leaving him two pictures behind together with Kapalua newcomer J.J. Spaun (68).
Scheffler can return to No. 1 on this planet this week with a two-way tie for third at higher, with Rory McIlroy selecting to sit down out this week.
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Jordan Spieth had two eagles — one a 7-iron that got here inches away from an albatross on the par-5 fifth gap — and had a 66. He was three pictures behind.
Morikawa ordinarily would not be at Kapalua for the winners-only begin to the 12 months. However on this new 12 months of attempting to convey collectively the highest performs extra usually, the PGA Tour expanded the sector from solely winners in 2022 to incorporate those that reached the FedEx Cup finale at East Lake.
Morikawa shared the 18-hole lead by operating off six straight birdies to start out the again 9. On a beautiful Friday afternoon on Maui with slightly extra wind, he did most of his harm early. It began with a 20-foot birdie putt on the opening gap, adopted by quick irons to three ft and eight ft.
From there, everybody else did properly to maintain tempo.
Scheffler was launched on the primary tee with a point out of all 4 of his wins final 12 months, from the WM Phoenix Open to the Masters. Subsequent up was Fitzpatrick, who beat Scheffler by one shot at Brookline. He was launched because the U.S. Open champion.
“You do not have that one,” Fitzpatrick stated as they laughed.
Scoring remained low sufficient that solely two gamers had been over par — Billy Horschel (71) and Chad Ramey (76) had been 2 over.
Morikawa had an opportunity to tie the 36-hole scoring document that Cameron Smith set final 12 months at 17-under 129. He was simply off the entrance of the 18th inexperienced when he muffed his chip and noticed it run out to solely 30 ft, and his lengthy birdie putt banged off the lip.
Regardless of. He was nonetheless within the lead, his first time with not less than a share of the 36-hole lead because the U.S. Open final summer season.
