Haontong Li shot an early-morning round of 5-under 65 to reach 8 under par. The 24-year old Chinese star will take a two shot lead into the weekend at the 102nd PGA Championship.
Here are nine other things to know about the second round of action at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, California.
1. Big-Game Koepka Lurks
The four-time major winner shot a second-day 68 and was tied for second-place on 6-under par.
2. Jason Day Remains in Hunt
The 2015 (and nearly 2016) PGA Champion shot a 69 on Friday to remain the hunt for a second PGA. He was among the logjam at T2 on 6-under.
3. DJ Contends for Second Major
Dustin Johnson shot a second-day 67 to put the 2016 U.S. Open winner in good position for a run at a second major. He was T11 on 4-under par.
4. Justin Rose Lurks Too
Like DJ, the Englishman has a Hall of Fame career but only owns a single major (2013 U.S. Open). He followed up Thursday’s 66 with a solid 68 and sits T2 alongside Day, Koepka, and a logjam of players.
5. Big Three Struggle
The marquee group of Tiger Woods (E), Justin Thomas (+1), and Rory McIlroy (-1) continued to struggle. Woods and Thomas barely made the cut.
6. Spieth Keeps Hope Alive
The three-time major winner opened with a 73 and was in danger of missing the cut. But a 68 on Friday got him into the weekend – right on the number, albeit on a sour note as he bogeyed the final hole. Given his track record on the weekends, however – coupled with his poor position, Spieth’s chances of completing the career Grand Slam are looking slim.
7. Rickie Fowler Whiffs, Misses Weekend
The 31 year old star whiffed on a one-handed tap-in putt, costing him a spot in the weekend. Ouch!
8. Zach Goes Low and Then Home
Zach Johnson opened with a lights-out round of 4-under 66; then proceeded to shoot a 6-over 76 on Friday to miss the cut by one shot. That’s the crazy game of golf!
9. Kaymer Joins Zach
Like Johnson, Martin Kaymer is a two-time major winner, and like Johnson he too shot a first-round 66; then, like Johnson, went out on Friday made a mess of his round to miss the cut. The German, though, wasn’t even close. He struggled to a 12-over par 82 – a mind-blowing 16-stroke difference from round one.
