The second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge on Friday saw significantly improved scoring as calmer winds and more receptive greens allowed players to target pins effectively, creating numerous birdie opportunities.
John Pak began the tournament strong with a 7-under 63, establishing a three-shot lead. However, on Friday, both Ben Griffin and Matti Schmid matched Pak’s score with 63s of their own, elevating themselves to a tie for first at 11 under. Griffin started his day with a solid back nine, posting a 32, and then accelerated as he transitioned to the front, recording three consecutive birdies. He capped off his round with a birdie on No. 9 to finish at 63, taking the lead momentarily.
Schmid maintained a bogey-free round, gradually advancing up the leaderboard with seven birdies, ultimately equaling Griffin for the day’s low round and the 36-hole lead. Meanwhile, Pak stayed competitive, finishing the day strong with a birdie at 18, ending with a 68, just two shots behind the leaders in third place.
In the chase group, Rickie Fowler made a notable move with a 64 on Friday, climbing into the top 10 at 6 under for the tournament. Most of his success came on the back nine, where he posted an impressive 29. Despite cooling off on the front with an even-par 35, his early performance put him in a strong position, five shots off the lead and eager to compete this weekend.
Joining Fowler at 6 under is Tommy Fleetwood, who recorded his second consecutive 67. Both players stand out among the contenders heading into the weekend, although notable stars in the field struggled to make the cut. Scottie Scheffler shot a 1-over 71, including a challenging 37 on the back nine, landing just inside the cut line at 1 under but 10 shots off the lead. His struggles on the greens continued, as he managed only a 6-foot putt as his longest of the day.
Jordan Spieth also faced difficulties, finishing with a 71 to make the cut at even par. The 2016 champion found it tough on the greens this week, ranking 117th in strokes gained putting. He managed an important long birdie putt on the 10th hole, which helped secure his spot for the weekend.
The Leaders
1. Ben Griffin, Matti Schmid (-11)
Griffin and Schmid took different paths to reach the top of the leaderboard. Griffin showcased a well-rounded game, ranking in the top 11 for strokes gained on approach, around the green, and putting. In contrast, Schmid dominated with his putting, leading with an exceptional 6.675 strokes gained on the greens. Both players hold a three-shot advantage, and if either can post a score in the mid-60s on Saturday, they could solidify their chances for their first individual PGA Tour win.
Other Contenders
3. John Pak (-9)
4. Chris Gotterup (-8)
T5. Akshay Bhatia, Ryo Hisatsune (-7)
T7. Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler, Doug Ghim, Emiliano Grillo, Brice Garnett, J.J. Spaun (-6)
Though Pak could not maintain his initial scoring pace, he played effectively, attempting to achieve his best finish on the PGA Tour. He reached 10 under at one point, finishing with a birdie to remain in contention. Gotterup kept his round clean with a 5-under 65, ranking well in both approach play and putting. Bhatia and Hisatsune performed admirably, with Bhatia showcasing solid putting as he eyes a real chance in the weekend hunt for a win.
