PGA Tour star Xander Schauffele: "I think I was in a little bit of denial"

An exhausted Xander Schauffele admitted he was 'in denial' at how tired he was after he leapt into contention after 36 holes at the Travelers Championship. 

It wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest the 30-year-old is playing some of the best golf of his life. 

He has been a pillar of consistency all season, finishing in the top-10 on 11 occasions. 

And he also captured his maiden major championship victory at last month's PGA Championship. 

"I think I was in a little bit of denial," Schauffele said after he posted his second consecutive five-under 65 at TPC River Highlands. 

"This is probably the most in contention I've ever been in my life through a pretty hot stretch of golf. 

"I think I'm probably more worn down than I thought I was, than I wanted to admit to my team. 

"I think I got tired once everyone told me that I looked tired. I felt like I was fine. 

"It's a lot of golf and, yeah, I think not playing this afternoon for myself is going to be helpful to sort of rest up and get ready for the weekend."

He added: "It's been an amazing month for me -- a few months, actually. For us golfers it's like a drug to be in contention. 

"It's an awesome feeling. It's why we practice, it's why we play the game, at least speaking for myself. 

"Having a lot of opportunities to be in that final group on Sunday, even though I haven't gotten it done very often, only once, actually, in the last two years, is all I could ask for."

At the halfway stage here Schauffele trails Tom Kim by three shots. 

Kim fired a bogey free eight-under 62 on Thursday to celebrate his birthday and followed it up with a 65 on Friday. 

He is looking for his fourth PGA Tour victory. 

Collin Morikawa and Akshay Bhatia are tied second on 11-under. 

World number one Scottie Scheffler, Sungjae Im, Shane Lowry, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau and Robert MacIntyre are also inside the top-10 of this designated $20m prize purse event. 

Play was suspended early on day two due to inclement weather. 

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