Austin Smotherman, 11-under, retained the overnight 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 round at the Cognizant Classic.
After a career-best nine-under 62 yesterday, Smotherman hit two consecutive bogies on the back nine as Taylor Moore produced his second 67 score in as many days to cut the American’s lead to three.
A.J. Ewart, though, was the story of the day, as the Canadian produced a career-low seven-under 64 to be within four shots of Smotherman, while Brooks Koepka returned to form with a five-under 66 to put himself back in the mix.
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Wayne Riley suits up as a bear to explain why the Cognizant Classic’s ‘Bear Trap’ is so difficult for even the most experienced golfers!
“If I’m out here to try to make cuts, I’m probably done,” said Koepka, the five-time major championship winner, who is returning to the PGA Tour after a spell with LIV Golf.
“I hit it a lot worse today, didn’t drive it nearly as good. Iron play wasn’t as good, but the putter was better.
“I made a few adjustments after the round yesterday. I just need to play like I did the first day and then putt like I did today. I have a feeling the putting will come around.
“Just nice to see a red number.”
Aaron Rai slipped to five-under with a 69 with a bogey on the 17th, but still remains the highest placed Englishman at The Palm Beaches so far.
Irishman Seamus Power had an impressive second round, 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 said.
“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 really good layout for that. It’s going to test everyone for the next two and a half days. But it’s nice to be in under par, and two more good rounds over the weekend needed, but obviously it’s nice 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
