RSM Classic R2: Leader Talor Gooch primed to make strong weekend run on PGA Tour
The American opened up a one-stroke advantage on the field and will look to claim his first ever tour victory.
America's Talor Gooch is well positioned to make a strong run over the weekend at the RSM Classic.
The 30-year-old professional opened up a one shot lead on the field after signing for a second round 65 to push him to the top of the leaderboard.
Gooch, who shot 64 in his opening round at the Plantation course, continued his fine form at the Seaside course on the PGA Tour.
Birdies at five and six were made, while an eagle at the seventh saw him make the turn at 4-under. Now he sits at 13-under through 36 holes.
He managed two more birdies on the back nine, his only blemish came at the short par-4 13th when he tugged his tee shot into the left rough.
Colombia's Sebastián Muñoz is chasing, as is the United States' John Huh and Taylor Moore.
Canada's Mackenzie Hughes is also in the top five.
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Dropping it in from 40 feet. @JustinRose99 pic.twitter.com/laDNQefS6c
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 19, 2021
Moore found his first ever ace on the PGA Tour.
He made a hole-in-one at the par-3 17th on his way to a second round 65 at the Seaside course.
Justin Rose, who was out-of-sorts in 2021 but came into form just before the Ryder Cup is playing steady.
Rose, 41, finds himself positioned inside the top-20 at 7-under par after rounds of 67 and 68.
Notable players to miss the 4-under cut line include Jason Day (3-under), whose golf struggles continue.
Max Homa, Joaquin Niemann, Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald also won't play on the weekend.
Birdie extends the lead to 2 for @TalorGooch. pic.twitter.com/xRUa13hmJO
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 19, 2021
South African born Slovak Rory Sabbatini was a first round DQ after he was found to have a sticker on one of his fairway woods.
The sticker is used to track distances on equipment such as TrackMan.
South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen withdrew after 18 holes, citing a lower back injury.
The first round was interesting in a sense that scoring low for the majority proved easy.
Ace Alert @TaylorMooreGolf cuts through the wind for the first-ever ace on No. 17 @TheRSMClassic. pic.twitter.com/M74it9UvlW
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 19, 2021
Seasoned PGA Tour players were coming off the Seaside and Plantation courses feeling as though they "shot 80" after posting 4-unders.
Scottie Scheffler, who narrowly missed out on his first win again last week in Houston, was one of the players who felt that way.
He has formed a partnership with Bubba Watson's former caddie Teddy Scott on a trial period.
Scheffler, 25, finds himself way down the pack after struggling to improve upon his first round 63.
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