Bryson DeChambeau posted a 64 on Friday at Harbour Town and will head into the weekend with a one-shot lead at the RBC Heritage.
Starting on the front nine, DeChambeau made eagle on No. 2 and then offset two bogeys with three birdies to turn in 33. A bogey-free closing nine with birdies on Nos. 13, 15, 16 and 17 gave the 24-year a two-day total of 10-under par.
“It was a lot of fun, that’s for sure. I haven’t shot that well yet. I know I shot a couple of 65s before. But it was certainly nice to make that putt on 18,” said DeChambeau.
“It was going to be a little sour tasting if I wouldn’t have made that putt on 18. Other than that, I was striking my irons unbelievable, I’d say the whole day, really.
“And was able to the hit it within three or four feet every time almost with a wedge in my hand. That was kind of nice to take the pressure off of my putting and just relax and make a couple of three footers.”
One shot back was Ian Poulter, who followed up an opening-round 69 with a bogey-free 64 to reach 9-under par.
“It’s nice whenever you play this course, A, keep it out of the trees, B, keep bogeys off your card, then generally you’re going to have a decent round. You’re going to get opportunities,” said Poulter.
“The 5s can give up a few birdies. But it’s a fun course. It’s not the longest course we play during the season. But you have to be on your game.”
The Englishman sits T2 alongside Si Woo Kim (65).
After matching 64s, Luke List and Brandt Snedeker joined Rory Sabbatini (70) and Chesson Hadley (68) at 8-under par.
Five more players sit T8 at 7-under par, including Bill Haas (66), Danny Lee (66), C.T. Pan (65), Billy Horschel (69), and Charles Howell III (67).
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson posted a second-consecutive 69 to reach 4-under par. Defending champion Wesley Bryan is 2-under par after a second-day 71.
TOP 10
1 Bryson DeChambeau -10
2 Si Woo Kim -9
2 Ian Poulter -9
4 Rory Sabbatini -8
4 Chesson Hadley -8
4 Brandt Snedeker -8
4 Luke List -8
8 Danny Lee -7
8 C.T. Pan -7
8 Billy Horschel -7
8 Charles Howell III -7
8 Bill Haas -7
NOTABLES
13 Xander Schauffele -6
13 Cameron Smith -6
13 Matt Kuchar -6
21 Kevin Kisner -5
21 Webb Simpson -5
26 Dustin Johnson -4
26 Ryan Moore -4
26 Emiliano Grillo -4
26 Brian Harman -4
33 Patrick Cantlay -3
33 Beau Hossler -3
42 Zach Johnson -2
42 Jim Furyk -2
42 Stewart Cink -2
42 Wesley Bryan -2
55 Charley Hoffman -1
58 Martin Kaymer E
58 Graeme McDowell E
58 Davis Love III E
NOTABLES MISSING CUT
78 Patton Kizzire +1
78 Luke Donald +1
78 Jason Dufner +1
78 Marc Leishman +1
78 Kevin Chappell +1
109 Paul Casey +4
109 Tyrrell Hatton +4
109 Anirban Lahiri +4
109 Charl Schwartzel +4
VIDEO: BRYSON CLOSES
A birdie-par finish gave DeChambeau the halftime lead at Harbour Town.
VIDEO: SECOND-ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
QUOTABLE
“It takes time, being comfortable out here. It just does. There’s no way to shortcut it, unfortunately. And it has taken a little bit longer than I expected but I’m comparing myself to Jordan Spieth. It’s really tough. There’s guys that have played for many years out here that haven’t even won yet. And so sometimes my expectations are get skewed, like you said.”
– Bryson DeChambeau
Credit: PGA Tour Media, Getty Images
