Justin Suh made back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th before a final-hole birdie to close with a 66 and take the outright lead at 8-under at the halfway mark.
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“I would take that 6-under any day. In the beginning I made, on the first hole I made a 12-footer for par on the fringe. I just kind of kept the confidence with the putter going,” said the American.
“I thought off the tee I didn’t do so great, kind of missing fairways with the driver early. But here, you don’t hit too many drivers. You hit a lot of irons off the tee, hit a lot of 3-woods off the tee. So I thought those I did well. But hopefully I can clean up the driver on the weekend.”
Suh seeks a first Tour title in his 49th start since making his debut at this event in 2019.
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Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama posted the low round of the week, a 65, and the only bogey-free round this week to move into second place at 7-under.
“I made some good par saving putts today, and as you mentioned, the course is playing tough, especially the greens,” said Matsuyama. “If the greens get even harder than they are now, it’s going to be a challenge this weekend. But today the putts went in and so I’m satisfied.
“I really like this golf course. I wish I could play it more in a non-tournament setting because it’s just fantastic here. But it is a difficult golf course and that’s the big challenge.”
Hideki Matsuyama moves to -5 on the day and week and sits solo 2nd. pic.twitter.com/TTnYX3yT4J
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 2, 2023
David Lipsky posted a 69, the only player in the field with two rounds in the 60s. He is joined in third place at 6-under by fellow American Patrick Cantlay who shot 67.
Two-time champion Cantlay seeks to join Kenny Perry (3) and Tiger Woods (5) as the only players with three or more victories in the event.
Mark Hubbard of the USA closed with a 70 for a share of fifth place at 5-under alongside South Korean Si Woo Kim (68).
First-round leader Davis Riley (USA) carded a 78 and slipped down to T44 at 1-over.
