Could have been any one of a half-dozen players with the 54-hole lead at the Charles Schwab Challenge but it was Xander Schauffele who emerged on moving day, Saturday at Colonial Country Club.
Schauffele was one of six tied at 12-under until he holed a birdie putt at the 18th hole from just inside 12 feet for a 66 and a 13-under par total with 18 holes to play.
Xander said he kept sharp playing during the 91-day hiatus from the PGA Tour. “I think it’s sort of been, I played a lot at home with guys like Charley Hoffman and Phil Mickelson along with some really good amateur players.”
With no fans on site, Schauffele just tended to his business. “Really quiet out here, so go with the flow. Same thing tomorrow, we should be good to go.”
Here’s how the field looks lined up behind Schauffele:
12-Under Par:
Gary Woodland: The reigning U.S. Open champion posted 66 thanks to a birdie-birdie finish.
Collin Morikawa: Collin overcame two front nine bogeys to shoot 67. He has now made 21 straight cuts on the PGA Tour and is chasing the 25 number set by Tiger Woods.
Jordan Spieth: Spieth was all over the lot on Saturday but scrambled like a man possessed. Jordy had just nine putts over the first nine holes. He finished birdie-birdie on the front nine to get to 13-under par and took the lead. He held that lead until he made a sloppy bogey at the 15th from just 81 yards out. A poor sand wedge followed by a poor chip cost him the solo lead. But all indications are that Spieth has broken out of his long slump.
Justin Thomas: J.T. birdied the 17th to get to 12-under and shot 66. “A weird day,” he said afterward. “I definitely didn’t have my best stuff.”
Branden Grace: Four back-nine birdies gave him a 66 and put him in position to contend on Sunday.
11-Under Par:
Harold Varner III: After starting his second round with a triple-bogey, Harold fought his way back with eight birdies on Friday, shot 66 and held his first solo 36-hole lead on tour. He birdied the first hole of the day to take a two-shot lead. He then rolled out 12 straight pars until he buried his approach to the 14th in a greenside bunker and suffered his only bogey of the round. Harold’s putter let him down — he missed birdie putts from five feet at he seventh and 16th holes then lipped out a birdie attempt from four feet at the 17th. He finished with an even par 70.
Daniel Berger: Berger has had 26 straight rounds of even par or better and shot 67 for the second straight day.
Another half-dozen players are tied at 10-under par, including world’s No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who could only manage a one-under par 69.
