Overview
- Austin Smotherman followed a bogey-free 62 with a 2-under 69 to reach 11 under and lead by three through 36 holes.
- Taylor Moore sits at 8 under, with A.J. Ewart surging to 7 under after a 64 and Nico Echavarria also at 7 under; Joel Dahmen is 6 under and Shane Lowry headlines a group at 5 under.
- Brooks Koepka rebounded from an opening 74 with a 66, rolling in 131 feet of putts and gaining nearly four strokes on the greens to make the weekend.
- Saturday tee times were moved earlier because of forecast storms after winds toughened scoring conditions on Friday.
- The week opened with several pre-tournament withdrawals, and Will Zalatoris pulled out before his first-round tee time with a left ankle injury; defending champion Joe Highsmith advanced on the cut line.