Thomas fires as Day flat

JUSTIN Thomas shot a nineunder 63 yesterday to take a two-stroke lead at the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges, putting himself in position to win his second PGA Tour event in South Korea in three years.

Thomas, who won the inaugural CJ Cup in 2017, had a two-round total of 13-under 131. South Korean-born New Zealander Danny Lee (66) was in a tie for second place with first-round leader and former US Amateur champion Byeong Hun An, who shot 69 before his home fans.

Jordan Spieth (65) and Emilaino Grillo (66) were tied for fourth, four strokes behind.

Thomas birdied his first four holes and was six-under after 10 holes. “Overall one of the better rounds in a while,” Thomas said. “It came pretty easy, for the most part. I never had to worry much out there.”

After a 66 on Thursday, Jason Day bogeyed four of his last six holes yesterday for a 73 and was eight strokes behind.

Last year’s runner-up Gary Woodland had a second straight 71 and was 11 behind at two-under with Phil Mickelson, who shot 72.

Defending champion Brooks Koepka had four bogeys on his first nine for a 75 and was 13 strokes behind.

Mickelson had the shot of the day, hitting a 330m shot which hit the flag on the par-4 14th, stopping near the cup. That set up a tap-in eagle.

There are 78 players in the no-cut, limited-field event. It’s the first of three PGA Tour events in Asia, continuing next week at the Zozo Championship in Japan which includes Tiger Woods, and ending with the World Golf Championship event in Shanghai.