After 36 holes at Detroit Golf Club, Tom Lewis and Joaquin Niemann share the lead at the Rocket Mortgage Classic on 10-under par.
England’s Lewis signed for a bogey-free scorecard featuring three birdies en route to a 69 and the halftime’s marquee position.
“That was big. I was saying to my caddie, John, it would be nice to go up and down and go bogey-free for two rounds,” said Lewis.
“It’s always nice doing that. I’m just happy, even if I did miss that putt, to be in the position I am going into the weekend.
“I’m really pleased with the way I’ve been playing.”
Niemann also carded a bogey-free 69 with three gains to join Lewis atop the 36-hole leaderboard.
“I played great obviously,” said Niemann. “I gave myself a lot of chances at the start and I didn’t make birdie on the second or the third hole, but I know I’m playing good so just give myself a chance for the weekend is always nice.”
He added, “Right now everything is pretty good. My putter, like I said yesterday, hasn’t been on for the last three weeks and right now it’s been pretty good.
“I think that’s the best part of my game right now.”
Max Homa (65), Troy Merritt (68) and Chris Kirk (68) were one further back and tied for third-place on 9-under par, one clear of an eight-player logjam at T6 on 8 under.
Headliners who made the cut include Will Zalatoris (68, -6), Rickie Fowler (69, -5), Jason Day (73, -4), Phil Mickelson (72, -3), Bubba Watson (73, -3), and Patrick Reed (72, -3).
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau shot rounds of 72 and 71 to miss the cut by two shots. Others marquee names to miss the weekend include Gary Woodland (70), Webb Simpson (74), Rafa Cabrera Bello (75), and Cameron Champ (77).
Hideki Matsuyama was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID.
2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic
Top-10 Leaders: Round Two
Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd 2)
1. Joaquin Niemann -10 (-3)
1. Tom Lewis -10 (-3)
3. Max Homa -9 (-7)
3. Troy Merritt -9 (-4)
3. Chris Kirk -9 (-4)
6. Eight Players Tied -8
Notables
Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd 2)
21. Will Zalatoris -6 (-4)
34. Rickie Fowler -5 (-3)
46. Jason Day -4 (+1)
63. Phil Mickelson -3 (E)
63. Bubba Watson -3 (+1)
63. Patrick Reed -3 (E)
Missed Cut
Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd 2)
78. Gary Woodland -2 (-2)
97. Bryson DeChambeau -1 (-1)
97. Webb Simpson -1 (+2)
143. Rafa Cabrera Bello +4 (+3)
143. Cameron Champ +4 (+6)
WD. Hideki Matsuyama -2 (70)
Material from PGA Tour Media & Communications was used to compile report.
