Ex-Hog Cook leads

PGA Tour rookie and former Arkansas Razorback Austin Cook made a 6-foot birdie putt on his final hole for an 8-under 62 and a one-shot lead going into the weekend at the RSM Classic at St. Simons Island, Ga. Cook has gone 36 holes without a bogey on the Plantation and Seaside courses at Sea Island Golf Club. He played Seaside — the site of the final two rounds in the last PGA Tour event of the calendar year — on Friday and ran off four consecutive birdies on his opening nine holes. “We’ve just been able to it hit the ball really well,” Cook said. “Speed on greens has been really good and getting up-and-down has been great. I’ve been able to hit it pretty close to the hole to make some pretty stress-free putts. But the couple putts that I have had of some length for par, I’ve been able to roll them in. Everything’s going well.” Cook, 26, was at 14-under 128 and had a one-stroke lead over Brian Gay, who shot 64 on Seaside. No one else was closer than five shots going into the final two rounds. Cook has made the weekend cuts in all four of his starts this season. He earned his PGA Tour card through the Web.com Tour, and has hired Gay’s former caddie, Kip Henley. First-round leader Chris Kirk followed his opening 63 on the Plantation with a 70 on the Seaside to drop into a tie for third at 9 under with C.T. Pan (65) and Vaughn Taylor (66). Brandt Snedeker shot a 67 on the Plantation course and was six shots back at 8 under. Andrew Landry (Razorbacks) shot a 64 and was 8 under. Ken Duke (Arkadelphia, Henderson State) and David Lingmerth (Razorbacks) each had a 69 and was 5 under. Matt Atkins (Razorbacks) and Ethan Tracy (Razorbacks) did not make the cut.

Park in control

Sung Hyun Park made five consecutive birdies and seized control late in the round with an eagle for a 7-under 65 and a three-shot lead Friday in the CME Group Tour Championship at Naples, Fla. The lead might have been larger except for Park’s three-putt bogey on the 18th hole at Tiburon Golf Club. Not only was she three ahead of Caroline Masson and Sarah Jane Smith, none of the other players vying for all the awards was within five shots. Lexi Thompson shot a 67 and wound up losing ground. She was six shots behind. Park was at 12-under 132. A victory would allow the 24-year-old South Korean to sweep all the big awards and become the first rookie since Nancy Lopez in 1978 to win LPGA player of the year. Stacy Lewis (Arkansas Razorbacks) was 4 under after a 68. Gaby Lopez (Razorbacks) was 7 over after a 72.

Fitzpatrick by 1

Defending champion Matthew Fitzpatrick shot a second consecutive 5-under 67 to secure a onestroke lead halfway through the European Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship in Dubai on Friday. At 10 under after two rounds on the Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estate, Fitzpatrick was edging English compatriot Tyrrell Hatton, who moved into contention with a 9-under 63. Tommy Fleetwood boosted his chances by rising into a tie for 11th at 6 under after a 65. Justin Rose finished with a 70, and dropped on the leaderboard so he’s just two shots ahead of Fleetwood. U.S. Masters champion Sergio Garcia stayed in contention with a 69 and is one shot behind Fleetwood.