Russell Henley maintains one-shot lead at Wyndham Championship
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Russell Henley plays from the ninth tee during the second round of the Wyndham Championship.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MIAMI – Russell Henley insisted he just wants to be focused as he fired a four-under 66 on Friday to maintain his one-stroke lead at the Wyndham Championship, while Justin Thomas boosted his bid to make the PGA Tour’s FedExCup play-offs.
Henley’s five birdies and one bogey at the Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, gave him a 12-under total of 128, one clear of Billy Horschel – who signed for a 62.
“I would say just off the tee didn’t quite get it in the fairway quite as much,” Henley said of his second-round display, adding that the back nine played “a little bit more difficult” in drizzly conditions and a changed wind.
The American, who ended a five-year title drought with his fourth PGA Tour victory at Mayakoba, Mexico, in November, said his plan for the weekend would be to “continue the same things”.
“Just committing to my lines, committing to what I decide to hit off the tee and just making the best swing that I can.”
One thing he would not do is get ahead of himself. He was chasing a wire-to-wire victory at Sedgefield in 2021 when a birdie at the 10th hole in the final round had him feeling “in control of the tournament”.
Instead, he missed the six-man play-off won by Kevin Kisner.
“It’s why I’ve got to play all 72 holes,” he added. “It’s just hard to do, hard to finish it off, but I’m excited hopefully for another good weekend.”
Horschel squeezed past a quartet of players sharing third on 10-under 130 with a round that included an eagle at the eighth and seven birdies.
Hoping to salvage a disappointing season, he said his game has been improving in recent weeks.
But at 116th in the play-off standings, Horschel has a mountain to climb to try to push his way into the top 70 at this last opportunity to qualify.
“I know I have to win or finish solo second,” he said.
“If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”
Former world No. 1 Thomas, who is also trying to muscle his way into the play-offs from 79th in the standings, went the right direction with a 65 that put him at five-under 135 and a tie for 21st heading into the weekend.
However, he would be only No. 75 if he finished in this position.
Australian Adam Scott, 81st in the standings, went the wrong way with a one-over 71 that left him eight off the pace.
Well ahead of them, the group at 10-under featured South Korean An Byeong-hun (67), Canadian Adam Svensson (67) and Americans Lucas Glover (64) and Brendon Todd (63).
Notable names to miss the cut of two-under included Lee Kyoung-hoon of South Korea (even par) and former Masters winners Danny Willett of England (two over) and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (five over). AFP, REUTERS
