Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy share the lead at the PLAYERS Championship after 36 holes of play at TPC Sawgrass.
Fleetwood posted a 67, highlighted by a birdie-eagle-birdie start, en route to a 12-under par two-day total.
“I had the absolute dream start. Even then I felt very calm, felt really good,” said Fleetwood.
“I think even after those first three holes, the drives I hit on 4 and 5, 7, like I was hitting a lot of good tee shots, putting myself in position a lot, and enjoyed it.
“Today was a little bit more up and down, but it’s going to be. You know, there was a lot of good stuff, and I just feel really happy with it.”
Co-leader McIlroy carded a 65 which included an eagle and six birdies against just one bogey to secure a share of the halftime lead.
“I just need to keep seeing red numbers. That’s all I need to keep seeing. I don’t need a win. I’m not putting myself under pressure to — again, winning is a byproduct of doing all the things that I’m doing well,” said McIlrory.
“If you look at my driving stats, how I’m hitting my irons, all that adds up to hopefully shooting the best score or the lowest score of the week.
“So that’s how I need to approach it.”
The lead duo were three shots clear of a foursome deadlocked on 9-under par, including Jim Furyk (64), Ian Poulter (66), Brian Harman (69), and Abraham Ancer (66).
The trio of Jason Day (66), Kevin Kisner (68), and Keith Mitchell (65) were one further back, tied for seventh, on 8-under par.
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm headlined a logjam of seven more players tied for 10th on 7-under par.
Tiger Woods was 3-under par following a second-round 71 which included a quadruple-bogey on the 17th hole.
This round recap was presented by Nike Golf Belts.
TOP-5 LEADERS
Pos-Player-Score (Today)
1. Tommy Fleetwood -12 (-5)
1. Rory McIlroy -12 (-7)
3. Jim Furyk -9 (-8)
3. Ian Poulter -9 (-6)
3. Brian Harman -9 (-3)
3. Abraham Ancer -9 (-6)
OTHER NOTABLES
7. Jason Day -8
10. Jon Rahm -7
10. Dustin Johnson -7
17. Patrick Reed -6
20. Bryson DeChambeau -5
20. Adam Scott -5
20. Sergio Garcia -5
29. Webb Simpson -4
29. Justin Rose -4
39. Tiger Woods -3
39. Rickie Fowler -3
67. Brooks Koepka -1
67. Justin Thomas -1
NOTABLES MISSING CUT
81. Xander Schauffele E
81. Marc Leishman E
92. Jordan Spieth +1
92. Henrik Stenson +1
102. Patrick Cantlay +2
116. Phil Mickelson +4
STAT LEADERS
Driving: Ollie Schniederjans – 321.1 yards (T39)
Fairways: Louis Oosthuizen 26/28, 92.9% (T67)
Greens: Rory McIlroy 30/36, 83.3% (T1)
Putts/GIR: Matthew Fitzpatrick 1.571 (T39)
Birdies: Abraham Acer 14 (T3)