Things are starting to get tough at the Honda Classic and that’s great news for Brooks Koepka.
The 36-hole lead at PGA National belongs to Keith Mitchell and Sungjae Im, a first for both — neither has ever led after any round at a PGA Tour event.
Im went out in the day’s first group on Friday and shot 64 to post six-under and later Mitchell joined him after shooting 66.
Conditions began get even tougher with firm greens getting firmer and scores getting higher.
And tough conditions play right into the hand of a certain player who’s only two back of the co-leaders.
Brooks Koepka is one of nine players two back at four-under but he’s by far the most accomplished player in contention at the midway point.
“I’ve obviously put myself in a good spot to have a chance to win,” Koepka said. “I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve done that. These greens have definitely firmed up, baked out, and it can be difficult with this wind, and they’ve put the pins in some tough spots,” Koepka said. “Par is not too bad. It kind of reminds me of a major championship, in some ways.”
And Koepka has shown he thrives in tougher conditions.
“I love it when it plays tough,” he said. “I love when the wind is up. I love the firm greens and the Bermuda.”
Gary Woodland finished birdie-birdie on Friday to make the cut on the number (two-over) and keep the longest made-cut streak on the PGA Tour alive. He now stands at 21 straight.
Defending champion Justin Thomas will have to come up with some weekend heroics to get in contention. He struggled Friday, shot 74 and barely made it to the weekend, right on the number at two-over par.
Rickie Fowler fared a little better. Fowler’s 72 left him at one-under and tied for 32nd.
