4 Aussies are within the thick of competition after the second spherical of the $20 million ($31.3 AUD) RBC Heritage occasion in South Carolina.
Karl Vilips and Cam Davis are the best-placed of the Australians (T13) at six underneath for the match after taking pictures rounds of 65 and 66 respectively on the par-71 course.
They’re six strokes behind chief Justin Thomas (-12), who holds a two-shot lead on the remainder of the sphere.
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Jason Day is the subsequent finest Aussie, one shot behind Davis and Vilips at 5 underneath par.
Adam Scott (-4) and Min Woo Lee (+1) spherical out the Aussie contingent within the no-cut occasion, which is one among eight signature occasions on the PGA Tour calendar.
Thomas adopted up his scorching 61 with a two-under par 69 that was adequate to maintain him clear atop the leaderboard.
“The golf course felt fully totally different,” mentioned Thomas, who’s chasing his first victory since he claimed the second of his two PGA Championship titles in 2022.
“It’s undoubtedly firming up,” added the American.
“We even seen it simply sort of on some chips, the pitch pictures, some wedges – pictures that I hit very properly, it’s not spinning as a lot. They’re getting crusty, and it’s enjoyable.”
Thomas was even for the day after two birdies and two bogeys within the first 10 holes, however he rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on the thirteenth then birdied the par-five fifteenth to provide himself a two-stroke cushion over South Korean Kim Si-Woo and American Russell Henley.
Kim produced the spherical of the day, firing an eagle and 6 birdies with only one bogey in a seven-under par 64.
“It was a very good spherical,” mentioned Kim, who added that he wasn’t feeling nice however managed to determine some issues ut on the course.
His finest shot, he mentioned, was his second on the par-five fifth, which “in some way” landed six toes from the pin to set him up for eagle.
“I feel that’s the beginning of momentum as we speak,” mentioned Kim, who’s feeling further motivated after failing to e-book spot in final week’s Masters.
“I bought so pissed off final week watching the Masters,” he mentioned.
“However in some way I’ve bought to maneuver on.” Henley joined him on 10-under 132 with a three-under par 68 that included 4 birdies.
American Andrew Novak posted a six-under 65 to share fourth on 133 with England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who signed for a 66.
World primary and defending champion Scottie Scheffler was an additional shot again after a one-under 70, tied with Canadian Mackenzie Hughes.
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Thomas, 31, has his first 36-hole lead since 2022, retaining his nostril in entrance regardless of battling an errant driver that might have proved extra pricey.
Thomas hit simply seven of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens in regulation however his quick recreation was spot on.
He got here up with strong par saves on 12 and 14 and goes into the weekend with an opportunity to finish a title drought that has included a number of close to misses.
“I’d say nearly all of (coming shut) has simply been urgent and making an attempt too exhausting,” Thomas mentioned. “All of us, I’d assume, need to win so dangerous, and I need to win so dangerous.
“That’s one thing I really feel like I did so, so properly there for a few years is I simply let tournaments come to me and I simply trusted in my capacity,” Thomas mentioned.
“That’s simply actually been my key this week is I’m simply making an attempt to actually belief my recreation and decide to what I’m doing.
“I’ve numerous religion and confidence in what I can do. So, I simply have to let it occur.”