Brendon Todd has established a two-shot lead over the field at 11-under-par at the midway point of the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational.
The American had five birdies in a bogey-free 65 in Memphis to storm to the top of the leaderboard with Shane Lowry leading the Irish challenge at three-under. Graeme McDowell's two-under after two rounds with Rory McIlroy one-under-par into the weekend.
“I just grinded really hard," Todd told the PGA Tour website. "I had to make some clutch par saves early on in both rounds and I was able to make them.
“I’m seeing the lines really good on the greens. I committed to a warm-up plan this week on the practice green and it’s starting to pay off, so I’m putting really well so far.
“The wind was down just a little bit today. There were a couple of pins I think that were more difficult on one, 14 and 16, so there were some birdie opportunities, but you still have to place the ball in the right area and make some putts.”
Defending champion Brooks Koepka lost ground on day two, following up his opening day 62 with a 71 to fall back to seven-under.
“I thought I putted good on the back nine, just misread a few, and then on the front just really didn’t hit any good putts,” said Koepka, who is continuing to recover from a knew issue.
