Kokrak’s 62 yields 5-shot edge in Texas
IRVING, Texas — While big-hitting Jason Kokrak has an AT&T Byron Nelson record five-stroke lead through 36 holes, he knows that is only halfway with plenty of other players who could make a weekend charge, including top-ranked Dustin Johnson. But not local favorite Jordan Spieth after he missed the cut Friday for the first time at the tournament where he made his debut as a 16-year-old.
“Yeah, a bit shocking that's how it happened,” said Spieth, who missed the cut by a stroke after a 5-under 75 that included a 9 at the par-5 16th hole after he hit two tee shots out of bounds.
Kokrak, ranked 128th in the world, shot a bogey-free 8-under 62 for his careerbest scoring round and matched the Nelson's 36-hole record at 12-under 128. No one has ever had a bigger lead there after two rounds than his five strokes over Billy Horschel (65).
“It's 36 holes. You've got the No. 1 player in the world chasing you, you've got xnumber of other players that are outstanding players,” Kokrak said.
Maybe as surprising as Kokrak's big lead halfway through the last Nelson to be played at TPC Four Seasons is that the 23-year-old Spieth, the 2015 Masters and U.S. Open champion, is done playing this week. With a 3-over total after the horrendous 16th hole and needing at least one birdie, Spieth's 17-foot birdie try at No. 17 curled by the cup, and he missed a 14-footer on 18.
“It didn't need to happen. Just playing fine and I tried to just press it to try to reach the green in two and then I tried to do it again,” Spieth said, referring to the par-5 16th.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Lexi Thompson shot her second straight 6-under 65 to take a three-stroke over playing partner Gerina Piller into the weekend at the Kingsmill Championship. Thompson is playing her third tournament since losing the major ANA Inspiration in a playoff after being penalized four strokes for a rules violation that a TV viewer spotted.
“I feel great with where my game is at,” Thompson said. “I am just trying to keep my thoughts very simple, focus on doing my routine and picking small targets out and committing to my shots. If I do that, my game is in a good spot.”
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Fred Funk shot a 7-under 65 to take the second-round lead in the Regions Tradition. The 60-year-old Funk, seeking his first PGA Tour Champions individual title since 2012, had a one-stroke lead over Scott Parel in the first of the 50-and-over circuit's five majors.