Finau and Palmer share lead; Woods just makes the cut

DUBLIN, Ohio — Tony Finau figured he was on the right track when he shot 59 at Victory Ranch last week in Utah.

That kind of score isn't happening at Muirfield Village, where the greens are getting firmer by the hour. Finau still took enough confidence from playing with his kids at home during a week off, and it translated into 14 birdies over two days and a share of the 36-hole lead at the Memorial.

Finau recovered from two bogeys after three holes of his second round Friday, making birdie on the rest of the par-fives and finishing with a three-under-par 69.

That put him at nineunder 135 with Ryan Palmer (68), who had only one bogey over two rounds.

They were a shot in front of Jon Rahm (67), who has another chance to reach No. 1 in the world this week for the first time in his career. U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland had a 70 and was two behind.

For Tiger Woods, it was a matter of making it to the weekend. Woods said his back felt stiff while warming up, and missing a pair of three-footers didn't make him feel any better. He managed two birdies and a seven-foot par save on his final three holes for a 76 that allowed him to make the cut on the number at three-over 147, matching his highest 36hole score at the Memorial.

The cut of 147 matched the highest of the season — it also was 147 at Bay Hill. Among those going home was Bryson DeChambeau, who was in reasonable shape until hitting his tee shot into a hazard on the 15th, taking a penalty drop, hitting the next two out-ofbounds and making 10.

It was his highest score on a hole in his career. DeChambeau came into the Memorial having finished in the top 10 in seven straight tournaments, and having 19 consecutive rounds at par or better. He left with rounds of 73-76, and without comment.

Dustin Johnson shot 8080 for the highest 36-hole score of his PGA Tour career

Collin Morikawa, who won at Muirfield Village last week in a playoff over Justin Thomas, recovered from a 76 with a 70 to make the cut with a shot to spare.