Austin Smotherman, 11-under, retained the in a single day lead with a 69 as Shane Lowry responded to yesterday’s struggles with a four-under 67 to be six shots behind in the second spherical at the Cognizant Classic.
After a career-best nine-under 62 yesterday, Smotherman hit two consecutive bogies on the again 9 as Taylor Moore produced his second 67 rating in as many days to chop the American’s result in three.
A.J. Ewart, although, was the story of the day, because the Canadian produced a career-low seven-under 64 to be inside 4 shots of Smotherman, whereas Brooks Koepka returned to kind with a five-under 66 to place himself again in the combination.
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Wayne Riley fits up as a bear to elucidate why the Cognizant Classic’s ‘Bear Trap’ is so tough for even essentially the most skilled golfers!
“If I’m out here to try to make cuts, I’m probably done,” stated Koepka, the five-time main championship winner, who’s returning to the PGA Tour after a spell with LIV Golf.
“I hit it so much worse at this time, did not drive it practically nearly as good. Iron play wasn’t nearly as good, however the putter was higher.
“I made just a few changes after the spherical yesterday. I simply have to play like I did the primary day after which putt like I did at this time. I’ve a sense the placing will come round.
“Just nice to see a red number.”
Aaron Rai slipped to five-under with a 69 with a bogey on the seventeenth, however nonetheless stays the best positioned Englishman at The Palm Beaches to this point.
Irishman Seamus Power had a powerful second spherical, posting a 67 to go four-under heading into the weekend.
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“Honestly, I’m not actually playing brilliant, but the short game has been excellent, scrambling, really hanging in there well, making some putts,” Power stated.
“It’s a tough golf course. It doesn’t let you get comfortable really at any stage, and I think that’s unique about this place. Holes that just don’t seem that tough on the scorecard, but if you’ve got a crosswind and you’ve got this and you’ve got that and you just miss it, it’s very, very tricky.
“It’s a very good format for that. It’s going to check everybody for the subsequent two and a half days. But it is good to be in underneath par, and two extra good rounds over the weekend wanted, however clearly it is good to be in there.”
Play on day three of the Cognizant Classic has been pushed forward due to rain, and will be live on Sky Sports Golf from 3pm. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW
