Schauffele leads McIlroy, Day at PGA’s Wells Fargo

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Xander Schauffele has been a mainstay near the top of the leaderboard most of the year. Now he’s hoping to close the door.

Schauffele shot a 4-under 67 on Friday after opening with a 64, leaving him at 11-under 131 and four shots ahead of Rory McIlroy and Jason Day heading into the weekend at the Wells Fargo Championship.

Taylor Moore and Sungjae Im were five strokes back at 6-under.

The 30-year-old Schauffele has seven top 10 finishes this season, but no wins. He’s looking to snap a winless streak that dates to July 2022 at the Genesis Scottish Open.

“I’ve had a few knocks on the door and I just tell myself to keep knocking,” Schauffele said.

Schauffele said the drought is something he’s always thinking about, but added that the toughest part is just to stay in the present.

“You just have to recognize the situation you are in, and realize that you are playing some good golf and just get out of your own way at times,” Schauffele said.

Corey Connors of Listowel, Ont., and Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., were tied for seventh at 4 under. Nick Taylor of Abbotsford is tied for 20th at 2-under, and Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford and Adam Svensson of Surrey are tied for 33rd at even par. Mackenzie Hughes of Hamilton, Ont., is tied for 45th at 2-over. Schauffele’s was locked in most of the day. He hit 15 greens and his only hiccup came when he made bogey on the 18th hole while he was trying to rush to finish his round and beat a storm that would suspend play for about an hour. Play did resume, but Schauffele feared he would have to get up early to play a shot or two and then wait several hours to play his third round today.

“It’s stupid to say, but I’d rather take the 5 at this point after hitting such a bad chip versus waking up super early and having to reset your day,” Schauffele said.