Xander Schauffele makes up ground in Japan after opening-day nightmare
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Xander Schauffele shot a five-under 65 in the second round of the Zozo Championship and was 10 strokes off the lead.
PHOTO: AFP
INZAI – Birthday boy Xander Schauffele shot a five-under 65 at the PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship in Japan on Oct 25, to make up ground following his opening-day quadruple bogey.
The two-time Major winner was 10 strokes behind leader Nico Echavarria of Colombia at the halfway stage at Narashino Country Club.
Echavarria was at 12-under 128 overall after a second straight 64, two strokes ahead of Americans Taylor Moore (67) and Justin Thomas (64).
Schauffele got his title bid off to a disastrous start on Oct 24 when he carded an eight on the par-four ninth hole after his tee shot wedged itself among tree roots.
The American twice attempted to hit the ball but failed to dislodge it and looked set to take a third swipe at it before shaking his head, laughing and opting to take a penalty drop for an unplayable lie.
He had more luck on Oct 25 – when he turned 31 – hitting five birdies and no bogeys to leave him at two-under overall.
“Yeah it was better, a little bit,” said Schauffele, who won the PGA Championship and the British Open in a breakthrough 2024.
“I mean, besides one hole yesterday, I kind of fed off a lot of my holes and I probably hit the ball a little bit better today.
“Missed some makeable putts and made some ones I shouldn’t make, so all in all it was a pretty solid day.”
Schauffele’s playing partner Rickie Fowler shot up the leaderboard after carding a six-under 64 to sit eight under.
Fowler, who finished in a tie for second at the tournament in 2022, had seven birdies and one bogey and said he played “a little better across the board”.
“Drove it a little better than yesterday and hit some better iron shots,” said the American, who is tied-seventh. “Not a whole lot different, tried to keep it simple.”
Defending champion Collin Morikawa had a double-bogey for the second straight day but carded a 67 and was eight shots off the lead.
Japan’s Olympic bronze medallist Hideki Matsuyama carded a 71 and was at two over.
Echavarria, a Colombian who played at the University of Arkansas and whose lone PGA Tour win was at in Puerto Rico in 2023, admitted he was in an unfamiliar position at the top.
“I’ve never had a lead after 36 holes,” he said.
“I’ve had it after 54, but never after 36, so it’s good to be in this position. Hopefully a good round tomorrow can keep me in the lead or around the lead.” AFP
