JEJU, South Korea — World No. 4 Justin Thomas saw his three-shot overnight lead quickly blown away in gusting winds in Friday’s second round of the CJ Cup on Jeju Island.
American Luke List leads the elite 78-man field at the US PGA Tour’s first-ever event in South Korea after he compiled one of the few bogey-free cards, adding a 67 to his opening round 68 to reach nine-under par.
“Any time you go bogey-free you’re really happy about it,” said List, who leads the $9.25 million tournament by a shot. “The wind was tricky today but I was able to save par a lot and then played solid on the back nine.”
Nine-under was the same mark on which FedEx Cup champion Thomas had started the day after a sizzling 63 in benign conditions at the Nine Bridges layout on Thursday. He was 11 shots worse as he slumped to a 74 Friday.
The 23-year-old PGA Tour Player of the Year dropped three shots on the front nine which took him 39 strokes, having made the turn in 29 Thursday.
He did manage a first birdie at the 10th but took six at the 18th to come home in 35 and slide down to a share of fourth place on seven-under par with Australia’s Cameron Smith, who had a round of 68.
Ahead of that pair on eight-under are the 2009 US Open champion Lucas Glover, who also shot 67, and fellow American Scott Brown who added a two-under 70 to his opening 66.
England’s in-form Paul Casey started on the 10th and got into contention as the only player to eagle the 18th on both Thursday and Friday.
Shin, Ji share lead
South Korea’s Jenny Shin posted a 5-under par 67 to share the lead with compatriot Ji Eun-hee with a two-day total of 137 at the LPGA Taiwan Championship Friday.
The pair finished with a one shot advantage over American Brittany Altomare while a group of 11 players were within five shots of the lead after the second round at the Miramar Golf Country Club in New Taipei city.
The current world No. 1 Ryu So-yeon, also of South Korea, climbed to seventh place with a 4-under 68, rising from 23rd place after hitting a disappointing 1-over 73 in the opening round. Overnight leader Ji carded a 1-under 71 with two bogeys and two birdies to remain atop the leaderboard.
Altomare scored five birdies and a bogey on both the front and back nine to finish at 6-under 66.
Host Garcia shines
Tournament host Sergio Garcia shot a 5-under 66 to grab a share of the lead at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters in the European Tour Thursday.
The Spaniard had seven birdies and two bogeys at Real Club Valderrama to finish the opening day level with Joost Luiten of the Netherlands.
Fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal shot a 4-under 67 to share second place with Englishman Robert Rock.
Andrew Johnston shared sixth place after a 2-under 69. Spain’s Jon Rahm got off to a disappointing start with a 3-over 74. — Agencies
