PGA Tour rookie Patrick Reed took advantage of ideal scoring conditions to grab an early two-shot lead after his second round at the $5.3 million Wyndham Championship on Friday.
American Reed birdied his final two holes for a bogey-free, six-under-par 64 on a calm, mild morning at Sedgefield Country Club.
“To be able to putt on really fast greens like this, it’s a treat,” Reed told reporters after posting an 11-under 129 halfway total.
Fellow American Jordan Spieth carded a 66 to sit a further two strokes back at nine under, two better than South Korean Charlie Wi (65) and Englishman Ross Fisher (69).
Ireland’s Pádraig Harrington’s problems continued as he missed the cut after shooting a second round 74 to finish on seven over par.
Defending champion Sergio Garcia, among a large group in joint third place overnight, shot a respectable 70 to slip six strokes off the pace.
If Reed wins, he will happily give his caddie 100 per cent of his prize money, because his wife Justine carries his bag.
“She knows just as much about the golf swing . . . so if I ever get out of whack she can fix me,” said Reed.
Garcia, meanwhile, lamented a cold putter after missing five putts from inside seven feet. “I would have loved to shoot at least a couple under (par) today. I feel I played well enough to do it but I didn’t,” said the Spaniard.
American journeyman Chris Stroud, co-leader overnight with Fisher after opening with a 64, was among the day's late starters.
AMATEUR: Ireland were left wondering what might have been last night after finishing second in the Home International Championship at Ganton in north Yorkshire with England regaining the Raymond Trophy.
Ireland held up their side of the bargain – dispatching Wales 9-6. But Scotland were unable to turn over England, going down by a 9-6 margin.
The Irish produced a great morning foursomes session to give them a commanding 5-0 whitewash lead over winless Wales heading into the afternoon, but it was not to be.
AMATEUR: Irish hopes of producing their first Boys Amateur Champion since Ronan Rafferty in 1979 disappeared at Royal Liverpool yesterday when the nation's last survivors fell by the wayside.
Dubliner Paul McBride and Irish Boys champion Robin Dawson saw their hopes vanish with third round defeats.
McBride from The Island club did not make many mistakes against German Hurly Long but was still on the wrong end of a 3&2 scoreline.
Dawson, the highly-talented player from Faithlegg, was beaten by Adam Fisher from the north of Scotland2&1.
Meanwhile, the British Girls Amateur Open Championship at Fairhaven on the Lancashire coast was won by China’s Jing Yan who beat Italian Roberta Liti on the home green in the 18-hole final.
