Friday, 23 Oct 2020. 9:47 PM
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. –Justin Thomas continued the momentum he started the night before, and he played 65 (under-7) in the second round on Friday to forge a one-shot lead at the Zozo Championship, presented to Sherwood.
Thomas has a cumulative score of minus-14 (130), one stroke ahead of Lanto Griffin and Dylan Frittelli, who each played 65 and bugged the 18th green.
Griffin briefly caught up with Thomas in the lead after stalling a five-foot putt for a birdie on the seventh hole. Except that his next 5-iron shot – he was aiming for about 25 feet to the left of the pennant and hit his belle straight towards it, 15 feet behind – played a trick on him.
Thomas has won his last four tournaments when he leads after 36 holes. Twenty golfers are, however, four strokes or less from the lead, and they’re all minus-10 or better.
Patrick Cantlay regained his touch with his putter and signed a card of 65. He is two strokes behind Thomas, along with Scottie Scheffler, who also completed the course in 65 strokes.
Tiger Woods bounced back from a tough round the night before, shooting eight birdies to hand a 66-card. He couldn’t close the gap between him and the leader after two rounds, however. Reigning Championship champion Zozo (he triumphed last year in Japan) is still 12 times behind.
Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Is Canada’s top golfer after a round of 67 that put him down to minus-8 overall.
Nick Taylor (68) of Abbotsford, BC, is two strokes behind while Mackenzie Hughes (72) of Dundas, Ont., Is minus-5. Adam Hadwin (67), of Abbotsford, calls minus-2.
Richy Werenski stood out with a total of 12 birdies for a score of 61, the best in the history of PGA tournaments presented on this California course.
Golfers had a blast on this course which is short by PGA standards and has five par-5s accessible in two strokes – even without using a No. 1 wood on the tee. There is hardly any wind, and the temperature is mild.
However, all this did not help Phil Mickelson, who played 74 and is at the back of the pack. ‘Lefty’ won its second consecutive tournament on the Champions Tour, reserved for golfers aged 50 and over, last week.
Leader board:
1. Justin Thomas (USA) -14 (65-65)
2. Dylan Frittelli (RSA) -13 (66-65)
. Lanto Griffin (USA) -13 (66-65)
4. Patrick Cantlay (USA) -12 (67-65)
. Scottie Scheffler (USA) -12 (67-65)
Abraham Ancer (MEX) -11 (67-66)
. Harris English (USA) -11 (66-67)
. Bubba Watson (USA) -11 (70-63)
. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) -11 (65-68)
. Patrick Reed (USA) -11 (70-63)
. Tony Finau (USA) -11 (69-64)
. Kevin Kisner (USA) -11 (66-67)
. Richy Werenski (USA) -11 (72-61)
…
66. Tiger Woods (USA) -2 (76-66)
…
