Thomas moves into share of the lead

PGA Tour rookie Justin Thomas carded nine-under-par 61 to move into a share of the lead of the Sony Open after Friday’s second round.
He reached a score of 12-under par at the halfway stage in Hawaii alongside fellow Americans Matt Kuchar and Webb Simpson, who carded 63 and 66 at the at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.
The leading trio is two shots ahead of South African Tim Clark and American Troy Merritt, who shot 65 and 64 respectively.
Thomas’ round finished with a flourish, as he birdied the 16th and 17th, before sinking a 16-foot eagle putt on the final hole.
“I’m very excited for the weekend,” Thomas told the Golf Channel after a round which fell just one shot short of the course record 60 held by Davis Love.
“It’s a position I haven’t been in before. I think that comes with the territory, being a rookie.
“I wasn’t getting anything going, tried to stay patient, hit some fairways and got in some spots where I had easier putts and just got on a roll the last 12 holes.
Kuchar, the world number 11 going into the tournament, said after his round that accuracy from the tee was a major factor for him during his round.
“I drove it really well and when you drive it well the course becomes much more attackable. It was a much better ball-striking round and I’ve continued two days of really good putting,” he said.
According to Clarke , who won the Canadian Open last July but finished 25th at last week’s Tournament of Champions on the nearby island of Maui, the Waialae is suited to his game.
“I’m standing a little bit taller so I’m getting a bit more width with my swing and everything seems to be coming off the middle of the club,” he said.
Further down the field, 16-year-old local Kyle Suppa made the cut after carding his second 69 of the week.
Suppa is the Hawaii amateur stroke play champion.
Latest
-
News
Sponsor Ralph Lauren drops Justin Thomas following homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three uttered the derogatory word towards himself after missing a putt at Kapalua last weekend.
-
News
Bryson DeChambeau keeping brain relaxed to avoid repeat of Masters misery
DeChambeau said his brain went into overdrive at Augusta National.
-
News
European Tour preparing for business as planned in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is due to start next week.
-
News
Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera arrested in Brazil
The former US Open and Masters winner was on the run from the law.
-
News
On this Day in 2013: Paul McGinley given Ryder Cup captaincy
McGinley would go on to be involved in a sixth Ryder Cup victory.
-
News
Collin Morikawa keen to draw inspiration from family ties to Hawaii at Sony Open
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the event after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
News
US PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.
-
News
Justin Thomas : ‘I made a terrible, terrible judgement call’
Thomas admitted he was distracted by what happened on Saturday during his final round.
-
News
PGA Championship to be moved away from Donald Trump-owned course
It is the second time in six years the PGA has moved an event away from a course owned by Donald Trump.