Daniel Berger has a big goal on his horizon this week at The Travelers.
First, sure, he wants to win and he’s put himself in that position after 36 holes at the TPC River Highlands. A pair of 67s has him in at seven-under par, tied at the top with rookie Tyrone Van Aswegen, Russell Henley and Marc Leishman.
Second, he wants the win, it would be his second, to move him way up in the points chase for a Ryder Cup spot.
“I played really good,” Berger said after his afternoon finish. “I didn’t expect the wind to blow like it did. It came out of nowhere. I’m not searching for my first win anymore. Ryder Cup is still my no. 1 goal.”
To reach that goal, Berger needs a victory here and a great showing in the final two events of the season.
But first things first. “If I do what I’m supposed to, I can contend into the weekend,” he said.
The wind did come up on day two, and scoring became tougher. Jerry Kelly shot 70 after his opening 64. Henley had the day’s low round, a 65, on his way to a share of the 36-hole lead.
Rookie John Rahm, playing in only his fifth event, shot 70 and kept himself in the hunt. Once again, his round could have been so much better but he derailed himself at the par five 12 when he was hole-high in two but scuffed a sloppy shot from the tall grass that sped over the green and into the water hazard on the other side, resulting in a bogey.
The course had trouble waiting for those who hit it crooked. Andrew Loupe was a perfect example. Through his first four holes, he was eight-under for the tournament and held the lead. He played the next 14 holes eight-over par and missed the cut.
The cut came at one-under par.
