Schauffele increases Wells Fargo lead

Xander Schauffele built up a fourstroke lead after two rounds of the Wells Fargo Championship by posting a 4-under 67 on Friday in Charlotte, N.C.

The World No. 4 started the day with a three-shot cushion on the field and went out to produce a five-birdie round to get to 11-under 131. He finished his round at Quail Hollow Club with his only bogey of the day after missing the 18th green in regulation and lipping out a 14-foot would-be par save.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (68) and Jason Day of Australia (67) are the closest to Schauffele, tied at 7 under.

McIlroy had four bogeys on Thursday but put those struggles in the rearview Friday by carding three birdies and 15 pars.

Taylor Moore shot his second straight round of 68 to get to 6 under and was tied with Collin Morikawa and Sungjae Im of South Korea, who were still on the course late Friday afternoon.

The sixth signature event of the season comes with a $20 million purse while also serving as PGA Tour players’ final tune-up before next week’s PGA Championship. There is no 36-hole cut.

LPGA Tour

Rose Zhang seems to be growing fond of the New Jersey area.

Zhang won her LPGA debut about one year ago at the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National. This week, she’s finding Upper Montclair Country Club to be very much to her liking.

During Friday’s second round of the 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup, Zhang posted a 4-under 68 and walked off the course at 13 under with a four-shot lead. She led by as many as five over Madelene Sagstrom at one point, as the second-year pro is taking control of the tournament in search of LPGA win No. 2. Zhang started on No. 10 on Friday and carded her first – and only bogey – of the week on the 16th hole. She was even through 10 but then made four birdies over a six-hole stretch on Nos. 2 through 7 before closing with back-toback pars.

So, Rose, what is it about these Jersey courses you seem to like to much?

“I’m lucky I have a good track record so far. I like the environment, and Jersey is always just such a fun place to come back to,” she said.

Nelly Korda, seeking her LPGA record sixth straight victory, was in the afternoon wave of tee times. She opened with a 3-under 69 and was nine strokes back of Zhang after opening with a birdie on her first hole.

Lydia Ko, who needs just one point to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame, shot a Friday 71 and is 4 under, tied for sixth, through 36 holes.