Things are getting really interesting at the Northern Trust. The stars have come out and are contending and the weekend promises some great action. Here’s your quick look at things as they stand after 36 holes:
Jordan Spieth missed the cut at the 2015 Northern Trust but went on to win the FedEx Cup. He shot 65 on Friday and is tied for the 36-hole lead. His putter was working nicely and he said that he got away from mechanics and just let his feel take over.
Rickie Fowler’s right there with him after shooting 66 on Friday at Glen Oaks. Throw Dustin Johnson in the mix and you’ve got three really strong players at the top heading into Saturday’s Moving Day.
Jhonny Vegas invaded the top of the leaderboard. The former University of Texas star equaled Spieth’s 65 on Friday.
Matt Kuchar shot the week’s best score when he posted a 64 on Friday. Things didn’t start very well for Kooch on Friday. He was two-over through seven holes before his caddie calmly said: “Let’s make some birdies.” Kooch obliged and birdied eight, nine, 10, 11, 13 and 14. In all, he birdied six of the nine holes on the back nine to shoot 29.
Jon Rahm kept himself in contention with a 68 and is four-under along with Justin Rose.
Justin Thomas will start the third round just three behind the leaders and everyone knows he’s capable of really low rounds.
Hideki Matsuyama provided the surprise of the day. The points-leader bogeyed the 16th hole from a greenside bunker and found himself on the cut-line at two-over par. At the 18th, he lipped out a four-foot par putt that sent him packing, he finished three-over and missed the 36-hole cut.
Phil Mickelson is hoping that team captain Steve Stricker will pick him for the upcoming President’s Cup. Lefty helped his cause with a 68 on Friday that put him in at even par along with Jason Day and Brooks Koepka.
Ollie Schneiderjans had the old “runnerup hangover” from his second place finish to Henrik Stenson last week. He shot 71-77, eight-over.
