China’s Carl Yuan makes first PGA Tour cut in Houston, gives himself shot at top-5 finish
- Yuan cards second round 66 to move to seven-under overall at Cadence Bank Houston Open
- Tony Finau shoots into lead with sparkling 62 to sit four clear on 13-under at Memorial Park
China’s Carl Yuan made the first cut of his fledgling PGA Tour career in Houston on Friday, and put himself in contention for a top five finish in the process.
Yuan holed two monster putts on his way to a second round four-under-par 66 to move up into a tie for fifth at seven-under at the Cadence Bank Houston Open, as American star Tony Finau seized the clubhouse lead with a sparkling 62 on a weather-disrupted day.
Finau, 33, got off to a sizzling start with seven birdies in his opening 10 holes before capping his day with three closing birdies to open a four-shot lead on 13-under.
American Patrick Rodgers was alone in second on nine-under after he carded a 63 at Memorial Park Golf Course.
“They set the tee boxes up to where we had to take advantage. We got the better wave,” said Finau, who has shot 62 on four previous occasions. “Thirty-six holes is a lot of golf left, and it’s trickier to score with a north wind. But I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Yuan, meanwhile, was delighted to finally make the weekend for the first time in his rookie season, having previously missed the cut in his first three tournaments.
“Score-wise, definitely four under par is really good on this course,” he said. “Honestly, I wasn’t hitting the ball as good. Some tee shots over the ball, I have no idea where it’s going.
“But yeah, glad to really stay in every shot, try to get around this course.”
After a bogey on 14, Yuan, who started his round on the 10th hole, bounced back with five birdies, including a 32-footer on the first and a superb 51-foot putt on the seventh.
“I know it’s a tough track that hitting greens is a key point,” Yuan said. “There will be a lot of lag putts. Fortunately I made two long ones to pick up a couple strokes there. Overall just played solid with good strategy I think, and looking forward to more of that over the weekend.”
Compatriot Marty Dou was also in with a chance of making the cut, but is among those who will return on Saturday morning, local time, to conclude their second round.
With the projected cut a even-par, Dou, who shot a first round 67, was even-par through eight holes, while Korean duo Byeong Hun An and rookie S.H. Kim were three-under through 10.
