NAPA, Calif. — Max HomaMoved into position to defend his title, shooting a 5-under 65 on Friday to share lead at 36 holes with Danny WillettAt the PGA Tours Season Opening.
Homa, a two-time winner last season and a captains pick for next weeks Presidents Cup, had an eagle, four birdies and a bogey — his first of the week — for a two-day total of 12-under 132 at Silverado Resort & Spa.
Homa stated, The course suits my eyes. I hit a lot more wedges today and have been hitting the wedges really good, so when I get lots of wedges from fairways such as these, I feel like a pin-attacker.
The four-time PGA Tour champion played collegiately in California.
Homa, who won a 2013 NCAA individual title said, Ive got great support system here. I have friends and family up there and a bunch people who appreciate that I went to school here, Homa said.
Willett shot a perfect 64, despite being winless in the United States after his triumph at the Masters 2016. Due to players defecting from the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series, Willett retained his PGA Tour card.
Willett stated, Yeah. We kind of got handed an emergency with the guys leaving. Which was nice. We had to reevaluate things and decided that we would press on and play some more this fall over here to really try to get points up early.
Willett holds eight titles on Europes tour, including the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland last October.
He made eight birdies in the second round and is now bogey-free for this week.
You know that the rough can be hit-and-miss with the greens being as firm as they are. To be bogey free is really good, stated Willett. He has had six top-10 finishes on PGA Tour since winning his lone Major. The field game is very sharp, and the short games also pretty sharp.
First round leader Justin Lower Byeong Hun AnTwo shots back, Lower had a 71. Lower finished with a score of 71. His best finish in 28 PGA Tour events from 2013 to 2013 was a tie-for-eight. An birdied the 18th hole and shot 68.
Lower stated, Its always difficult to follow up a very poor round with another good round, or even lower. But I will take 1 under today. Could it have gone better? Yes, it could have been better.
Taylor Moore (68), Matt Kuchar(68) Sahith Theegala(69) was four shots behind the lead.
Jason Day, Harris English, Charley Hoffman Webb SimpsonThey were among the players who did not make the cut.