Jon Rahm has the 36-hole lead, Jordan Spieth and Xander Scauffele shot 62s and the troublesome weather watch is on at the Northern Trust.
Things heated up during Friday’s second round as Rahm’s 67 put him atop the scoreboard at the halfway mark at Liberty National. The world’s No. 1 is 12-under par, a shot ahead of 64-shooting Tony Finau and two clear of first round co-leader Justin Thomas.
Thomas was seemingly spinning out of control during day two. He played the back nine first and was three-over for his round and tumbling out of contention. But an incredible birdie-birdie-birdie-eagle-par finish on the front nine was good for 31 and he finished under par with a 69 and is double digits under par (10) and tied with Keith Mitchell (68-64) and 62-shooting Xander Schauffele, who, along with Jordan Spieth, tied the course record. Spieth pulled the old 10-shot improvement trick — he followed up his first round 72 with the 62.
Biggest problem now is the path of what was tropical storm Henri, which could strengthen into a hurricane and affect the New York area on Sunday.
The PGA Tour issued this statement:
“We will evaluate the track of Henri throughout the day (Saturday) and expect to issue the plan and schedule for the final round by late afternoon Saturday. Henri is not currently predicted to have any effect on the forecast for Monday. Depending on the forecasted track of the storm, it is possible that the final round may be rescheduled for Monday.”
In other major news out of Liberty National, regular season FedEx Cup points leader Collin Morikawa injured his back. Morikawa shot 74-70 and missed the 36-hole cut, which came at one-under par. Dustin Johnson (70-72) and Phil Mickelson (73-72) were among the other big names going home early.
Brooks Koepka got himself into contention. He shot 64 and missed three birdie putts inside six feet. He’s in at eight-under par.
