Simpson on top at Quail Hollow
Successive 67s saw former US Open champion Webb Simpson join Robert Streb atop the Well Fargo Championship leaderboard.
The duo lie on 10 under par and share a two-stroke over Martin Flores and Patrick Rodgers.
Big guns Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson are lurking a further shot back on seven under.
Simpson, who claimed his maiden major victory almost three years ago, went on to win the 2013 Shriner’s Hospital for Children Open, but has been winless since.
The 29-year-old had two bogeys on his first six holes, but birdied six of his final 12 – which included chip-ins on the ninth and 17th hole.
Simpson lives in Charlotte, and plays Quail Hollow once or twice a week when he is home during the PGA Tour season.
“I think it helps a little bit. I think knowing where to miss it for the pins we’re playing helps,” he said.
“But the best player is going to win this week no matter how many times somebody’s played. But I definitely feel a little sense of comfort knowing I’ve been here so much.”
Simpson added: “I don’t feel any more pressure now that I’m in the lead, because the end goal is to try to shot as many under as I can. Now I’m 10 shots closer to what that number needs to be.”
Co-leader Streb was not as one fire as he was during his first-round 65, but a solid three-under-par 69 helped him stay tied at the top.
“It’s been going good,” Streb said. “My misses haven’t got me in too much trouble with the exception of 16 (his only bogey of the day). That wasn’t a very good miss there.”
After an opening 71, Mickelson shot the low round of the day, a 66, to move to within three of the lead. The five-time major champion was delighted to finally come good.
“I played really well today,” said Mickelson, who birdied four of his first seven holes, bogeyed the eighth, and then added three more birdies on the back nine.
“I needed a good, solid round. I’ve been turning 66s into 71s like yesterday, so today it was nice to shoot such a good score.”
Further down the field, a number of notables missed the cut, including Adam Scott, J.B. Holmes, Padraig Harrington, Louis Oosthuizen and Jim Furyk.
Latest
-
PGA ChampionshipMatt Fitzpatrick: Falling short at US PGA Championship ‘hurts a hell of a lot’
Fitzpatrick carded a closing three-over-par 73 to miss out on the play-off between eventual winner Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris by two shots.
-
PGA ChampionshipJustin Thomas pays tribute to caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay after his US PGA victory
Phil Mickelson’s former bagman gave Thomas a crucial pep talk after he shot 74 on Saturday.
-
PGA ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood confident he is ‘coming out the other side’ after dip in form
Fleetwood finished in a tie for fifth at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA ChampionshipEmotional Justin Thomas credits his experience for US PGA victory
Thomas also won the 2017 US PGA at Quail Hollow.
-
PGA ChampionshipJustin Thomas eclipses Will Zalatoris in play-off to claim second US PGA title
The former world number one’s victory equalled the biggest comeback in US PGA history.
-
PGA ChampionshipRory McIlroy’s Sunday charge at US PGA Championship ends in disappointment
McIlroy’s closing 68 in Tulsa was followed by him declining to speak to waiting reporters.
-
PGA ChampionshipPaul McGinley says Tiger Woods deserves better than to be a ‘ceremonial golfer’
The 46-year-old withdrew from a major championship for the first time in his professional career at Southern Hills.
-
PGA ChampionshipMito Pereira with three-shot lead at US PGA as Tiger Woods withdraws
It is the first time in his career that Woods has withdrawn from a major.
-
PGA ChampionshipMatt Fitzpatrick relishing chance at securing first major title
A third round of 67 means Fitzpatrick trails leader Mito Pereira by three shots at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA ChampionshipTiger Woods withdraws from US PGA following his worst round at event
The American made the halfway cut with a shot to spare at Southern Hills, but struggled to a nine-over-par 79 in the third round.