Surprise leader atop PGA Tour’s Truist Championship heading into third round
Keeping it in perspective, after wrapping up second-round action, Sungjae Im refused to rubber stamp his place atop the board at the Truist Championship.
“I’m leading now, but there’s a few more players to finish the round,” Im said Friday. “So, I’m leading now, but it might change later. But I’m very happy that I’m leading and before this week I had a plan to birdie the par-5s, and I know this course pretty well because of the Presidents Cup.
“So, it’s working out to my plan.”
Following that blueprint, Im finds himself sitting in first place heading into third-round action on Saturday. Im sits at 9-under par after carding a 2-under at Quail Hollow Club’s 7,583-yard course that dried out significantly following the deluge of rain that prevented nearly two dozen golfers from finishing their opening round on Thursday, forcing some into double duty.
Due to lingering wet conditions from the abundance of much-needed rain, the second round didn’t tee off until 11 a.m. — with some having to wait until 1:01 p.m. — and featured groups of three playing on the front and back nines.
Im didn’t seem overly affected by any of that.
After an even-par 35 through the initial nine, he kicked off his back nine with a birdie at the par-5 10th and added two more birdies to help offset the bogey he posted on the par-4 12th.
“I feel like I’m driving the ball very well,” Im said. “I’m keeping it in the fairways. So, it makes it easier for me to hit my second shots on the green in difficult pin positions. Also, I know this course very well, so I’m taking advantage of that.
“And then the scrambling, because of the play with the Presidents Cup, I know where to miss the greens, I’m very familiar with this golf course. I didn’t putt very well today, but I’m happy with where I’m at.”
Im has Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas closing in on him.
Fleetwood’s 4-under 67 in the second round left him at 8-under, putting him one stroke off Im’s pace. Fleetwood was steady, picking up just one bogey while collecting five birdies.
“I think (Thursday) I did play well,” Fleetwood said. “I felt very in control. Today didn’t feel like I swung it as well. Definitely didn’t have my rhythm, got ahead of a few shots. But I didn’t hit it in any terrible spots and I felt I scored very well.
“Those are the positives to take. I’ve definitely hit enough good shots, but today I didn’t quite have it but still managed to get a good score out of it. I holed out well and did a lot of other things well.”
New putter, new groove for Justin Thomas
Thomas, on the strength of 3-under in his second round, heads into moving day two shots behind the lead. Apparently, he has Cameron Young to thank.
“Using a totally new putter this week,” Thomas said. “I literally texted Cameron’s guys and said, ‘Just give me Cam’s putter.’ I’ve been watching him make putts for a pretty good amount of time now, and I’ve always thought it looks really good. So, I was like, ‘I want Cam Young’s putter.’
“Coincidentally, I get paired with him this week and we had the exact same shoes on (Thursday) and it’s like, ‘I promise I’m not trying to copy everything you do. But I’m maybe trying to copy everything you do.’ I don’t know.”
Rory McIlroy back in contention
Defending champ Sepp Straka sits in a tie for 17th at 3-under, but fan favorite Rory McIlroy made a late charge on his back nine.
McIlroy, whose 26 sub-70 rounds at Quail Hollow tops everyone including the likes of Phil Mickelson (24), is in a tie for fifth at 6-under thanks to sinking birdies on five of his final nine holes prior to bogeying the par-4 18th. Still, he got hot at the right moment and put himself in position to add to his record four wins here.
“I hit my irons better,” McIlroy said. “I hit a lot closer, especially on some of the par-3s. Holed a couple extra putts which always helps. But yeah, it was a solid day. I wouldn’t say I played a lot better than (Thursday), but I scored a little bit better and maybe a little bit more efficient with some things.
“Overall it was a good day, and it was a good day to get myself back in the hunt and feel like I have a real chance going into the weekend.”
Chandler Blanchet cards hole-in-one
Chandler Blanchet hit a shot he’ll never forget.
Lined up at the 190-yard, par-3 No. 17, Blanchet launched his 6-iron approach to the cup just perfectly, landing it short of the hole. It rolled straight toward the flag before dropping in, bringing Blanchet to even par.
Blanchet joins the select company of Jay Williamson (2008), Colt Knost (2015), Carlos Ortiz (2016), Williams McGirt (2016), Corey Conners (2021) and Mark Hubbard (2023). They also recorded a hole-in-one during the tournament. Blanchet’s ace was the fourth at No. 17 in tournament action.
Weather report
Temperatures are on the rise after topping out in the low 70s during Friday’s action. A high temperature of around 80 degrees is expected during Round 3 on Saturday. Also, unlike the clear conditions that dominated the second round, Saturday’s forecast calls for cloudy skies early before becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Winds will be light out of the southwest ranging from five to 10 miles per hour.
