Newton Square, PA – Xander Schauffele followed up an opening-round 63 with a second-day 64 to secure the halftime lead at the BMW Championship with a 13-under par 127.
Schauffele, who entered the day alone in third, carded four birdies on the front nine to turn in 31. The 24-year old California native’s only blemish came on No. 12, but was offset by four more birdies, including two-straight gains on Nos. 16 and 17 to sign for the low 36-hole score of 13 under.
“It was nice to back up the 63 with a 64, something I’ve never done in my career so good timing for that,” said Schauffele.
“I’m very aware of where I stood coming into the week. Obviously 41st isn’t what we wanted coming into the week but, you know, something good here would definitely help.”
Schauffele essentially needs a victory this week at Aronimink Golf Club to leapfrog Tony Finau for the final Ryder Cup spot.
Two off the lead was Justin Rose, who shot a bogey-free 63 to reach at 11-under par, one clear of a foursome which included Keegan Bradley (64), Alex Noren (66), Rickie Fowler (65), and Hideki Matsuyama (64).
“Cheese steaks, I guess,” said Rose, when asked about his two previous wins in the Philadelphia area (2010 Quicken Loans at Aronimink, 2013 U.S. Open at Merion). “Must be something in the water around here for sure. I played well. The crowd latched on to it for sure. I get good support around here.
“Nice when they’re reminding you all the time that it’s your town as well. Obviously I like to come here and play well. It’s nice to have the added extra bit of enthusiasm from the crowd.”
Overnight co-leader Rory McIlroy posted a 69 and was T7 at 9-under par, alongside Billy Horschel (67), Justin Thomas (67) and Jason Day (64).
One further back was the other round-one co-leader, Tiger Woods, who struggled to an even-par 70 on Friday to sit T10 at 8 under.
2018 BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
TOP 10: SECOND ROUND
POS-PLAYER-TO PAR-TODAY
1. Xander Schauffele -13 (-6)
2. Justin Rose -11 (-7)
3. Keegan Bradley -10 (-6)
3. Hideki Matsuyama -10 (-6)
3. Rickie Fowler -10 (-5)
3. Alex Noren -10 (-4)
7. Jason Day -9 (-6)
7. Justin Thomas -9 (-3)
7. Billy Horschel -9 (-3)
7. Rory McIlroy -9 (-1)
STAT LEADERS
DRIVING
1. Tony Finau – 329.1 yards (T11)
2. Rory McIlroy – 326.1 yards (T7)
3. Peter Uihlein – 323.9 yards (T24)
12. Xander Schauffele – 323.9 yards (1st)
FAIRWAYS
1. C.T. Pan – 25/28, 89.3% (T24)
2. Brian Gay – 24/28, 85.7% (T24)
3. Rickie Fowler – 23/28, 82.1% (T3)
3. Bryson DeChambeau – 23/28, 82.1% (T3)
3. Kevin Kisner – 23/28, 82.1% (T3)
36. Xander Schauffele – 18/28, 64.3% (1st)
GREENS
1. Justin Thomas – 33/36, 91.7% (T7)
1. Hideki Matsuyama – 33/36, 91.7% (T3)
1. Francesco Molinari – 33/36, 91.7% (T20)
7. Xander Schauffele – 31/36, 86.1% (1st)
PUTTS/GIR
1. Xander Schauffele – 1.516/47 putts (1st)
2. Keegan Bradley – 1.519/41 putts (T3)
3. C.T. Pan – 1.593/43 putts (T3)
FEDEXCUP TOP 10 PROJECTIONS
The top five players entering the Tour Championship will control their own destiny and will win the FedExCup with a victory at East Lake.
Here’s a look at the top 5 (and 10) projected after round two:
Projected-Player-R2 Pos-Current
1. Bryson DeChambeau (T38) 1st
2. Justin Rose (2nd) 3rd
3. Justin Thomas (T7) 5th
4. Tony Finau (T12) 4th
5. Dustin Johnson (T48) 2nd
6. Xander Schauffele (1st) 41st
7. Brooks Koepka (T38) 6th
8. Bubba Watson (T34) 7th
9. Jason Day (T7) 10th
10. Cameron Smith (T66) 10th
VIDEO: ROUND-TWO HIGHLIGHTS
EXIT QUESTION
Xander, I know every week you have big names but do you ever look at this leaderboard to see Woods, McIlroy, does that have any effect on the way you play?
SCHAUFFELE: You know, used to. Solid veteran here my second year on Tour. I feel like I’m used to seeing the names. It is nice to see Tiger playing well. It’s not a name I saw last year much, besides the cool factor of it, me growing up watching him golf.
It’s kind of, you know, we’re all in our office environment just trying to handle our own business.
