Brendon De Jonge holds a narrow one-shot lead at the Valspar Championship after posting a two-under second round 69 at Innisbrook Resort.
De Jonge heads in to the weekend one clear of a group of five players after posting four birdies in blustery conditions, although temporarily lost his lead when finding the rough in a bogey at the sixth and missing a seven-foot putt.
The world No 86 responded by holing a monster 50-feet birdie from the edge of the seventh green, before finishing with a tap-in gain at the last to leave De Jonge ‘very happy’ with his second round display.
It’s tricky out there,” the Zimbabwean told Sky Sports 4. “It gets in those trees and sort of swirls around and it’s hard to pick exactly where it’s coming from.
“We got lucky to get off early and probably had nine holes of calm and then as we made the turn it started blowing pretty good.”
Tight field
Seven birdies from Jordan Spieth saw the American post a second round 67, the joint-lowest round of the day, to head into the weekend part of the group five-under that also includes compatriot Derek Ernst, who moved to eight-under with a run of five birdies before dropping three shots in his final five holes
Kevin Streelman and Ryan Moore are also one-shot back alongside Henrik Stenson, with the Swede opening with an eagle at the par-five first after hitting his second shot to within 15-feet, but unable to maintain his momentum and needing a birdie at the last to sign off a one-under 70.
Looking to bounce back from squandering victory at Honda Classic, Ian Poulter got himself to six-under at the turn thanks to three birdies, but carded a second round 69 to sit in a four-way tie a further stroke adrift.
“I know I feel good right now on the golf course,” Poulter told Sky Sports 4. “I’m hitting lots of good iron shots and I know it’s a matter of time before I win. I’ve done a good job of putting it in play and giving myself plenty of chances.”
Early finish
World no 4 Adam Scott’s run of 45 consecutive PGA Tour events without missing a cut, the longest active streak, came to an end after missing four putts inside five-feet during a four-over second round 75.
"It had to happen eventually," the Australian said. "It was pretty scrappy out there. Some loose shots, and some loose lag putts and some loose short putts. I've got to tighten it up a little bit.”
Ernie Els slim hopes of making the cut ended at the 16th when, already four-over for the round, the South Africa snapped his iron trying to recover his tee-shot from behind a tree before three-putting from 12-feet in a double-bogey.
Joining Els on six-over was Honda Classic winner Padraig Harrington, who ended with three dropped shots from his final four holes, while America’s Jonathan Byrd’s hole-in-one at the 211-yard 15th wasn’t enough for him to qualify for the weekend as he ended two-over.
Watch day three of the Valspar Championship live from 5pm on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf.