Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama joins Kevin Kisner at top of rain-delayed PGA Championship leaderboard
In-form world number three cards new course record of seven-under-par 64 during the second round at Quail Hollow, with 26 players still on the course
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama joined American Kevin Kisner at the top of the leaderboard at the rain-delayed PGA Championship with a new course second round of seven-under-par 64 following a thunderstorm delay of nearly two hours.
Matsuyama took advantage of greens softened by an afternoon storm, reeling off five birdies in a six-hole stretch.
Seeking to become the first Japanese man to win a major, Matsuyama joined Kisner, who earlier fired a near-flawless 67, at eight-under and two strokes ahead of Australian Jason Day.
Day ran down the final fairway to finish his 66 before darkness completely enveloped the course.
“I’ve always fought a push to the right and got sick and tired of it,” said Kisner. “Hitting fairways are key.
“I’m hitting the ball really nice and things are going my way. The bad shots are working out and the good shots are working out and I’m making a lot of putts.”
Championship favourite Rory McIlroy and grand slam seeker Jordan Spieth found it tough going after falling 10 and 11 strokes behind respectively.
Kevin Kisner and Thorbjorn Olesen lead at PGA Championship
“If anything the greens were a little firmer than yesterday and some of the pin positions today are really tough,” McIlroy said after a second straight 72.
“Obviously Kisner is on fire. Hopefully he slows down a little bit and gives the rest of us a chance, but I still feel I’m there.”
Spieth failed to take advantage of the easier afternoon conditions, making just one birdie in a 73, his hopes of becoming at 24 the youngest player to complete the career grand slam all but gone.
There were 26 players unable to complete their second rounds.
Not even Michael Phelps can ease Jordan Spieth’s putting woes on day one of the US PGA Championship
American Chris Stroud, in the last group off the 10th tee on Friday, is the top contender among those yet to finish their second round. He stands at five-under-par overall with five holes remaining.
Sharing fourth at five-under in the clubhouse were Italy’s Francesco Molinari and South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen.
