McKINNEY, Texas, May 3: Scottie Scheffler added 8-under 63 to his first round 10-under 61 to get to 18-under and open a six-shot lead at his hometown event, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
Scheffler was one of the early finishers in a weather-delayed second round as about half the field did not get to complete the round after a six-hour delay.
Play was suspended for darkness with Scheffler leading Sam Stevens by six shots. Stevens shot 65 on Friday.
Scheffler made his PGA TOUR debut at THE CJ CUP in 2014 — four years after Jordan Spieth made himself an instant hometown favourite by contending on Sunday as a 16-year-old high school junior.
TPC Craig Ranch, which yields low scores, saw Scheffler shoot 61-63 and his total of 124 beat the previous 36-hole best at the Nelson by two shots.
The two-time Masters champion missed Justin Thomas’ 36-hole PGA TOUR record from 2017 by one stroke.
Spieth couldn’t keep up, although he figures to be safely inside the cut line following a 67 that put him at 6 under.
Jhonattan Vegas, a Venezuelan, shot a 69 and was eight shots behind Scheffler after starting the day two back. Ricky Castillo was 10-under in the 18th fairway when play was suspended.
Scheffler is bogey-free through two rounds.
Lying second, Stevens birdied four of his last six holes, including two par 3s, and played the first two rounds without a bogey. The 28-year-old seeking his first PGA TOUR victory was second at the Farmers Insurance Open in January.
Defending champion Taylor Pendrith shot 71 and was 4 under, and in danger of missing the cut.
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