Koepka earns share of Northern Trust lead, Johnson two back

Brooks Koepka climbed four positions to be a shot clear atop the leaderboard alongside fellow American Jamie Lovemark in New Jersey.

Published : Aug 25, 2018 08:01 IST

US PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka jumped into a tie for first place after carding a six-under-par 65 on day two of The Northern Trust.

Koepka climbed four positions to be a shot clear atop the leaderboard alongside fellow American Jamie Lovemark at the opening FedEx Cup play-off event in New Jersey on Friday.

The three-time major champion had two birdies and as many bogeys before a flawless back nine, which included an eagle and another four birdies – three in succession to earn a share of the lead.

Lovemark posted back-to-back 66s to earn his spot up top, while Australian Adam Scott posted the round of the day with a seven-under-par 64 to sit alone in third place.

World number one and FexEx Cup leader Dustin Johnson ended the round two shots off the pace.

American star Johnson produced another four-under-par 67 to be fourth at eight under alongside Bryson DeChambeau (66).

Johnson recovered from a rocky start, having triple-bogeyed his opening hole, to post five birdies without dropping a shot after the turn.

Tommy Fleetwood (68) headlines a five-way tie for sixth position, while Phil Mickelson (68) is a stroke further back heading into the weekend after birdieing his first four holes.

Reigning FedEx Cup champion Justin Thomas registered a four-under-par 67 to move within four shots of the lead, a stroke ahead of Jason Day (66) and two clear of Bubba Watson (67).

Tiger Woods, meanwhile, narrowly made the cut after his second-round 71 on Friday.

The 14-time major winner finished the first two rounds at even par, just a shot above the cut line at Ridgewood Country Club.

Woods managed to make just two birdies in the second round to go with two bogies as he closed out the day in a tie for 67th.

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