Rickie Fowler, Andrew Putnam share lead at ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP
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Written by The Associated Press
Rickie Fowler holes lengthy putt for birdie at ZOZO
INZAI CITY, Japan — Rickie Fowler and Andrew Putnam shared a one-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, where scores were low with drier conditions after rain in the first round.
Putnam had an 8-under 62 and Fowler was in at 63, putting both Americans at 10-under after two rounds at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on the outskirts of Tokyo.
The low round with a 61 — and a course record — went to John Huh. The American was two strokes off the pace.
One stroke behind the leaders was Keegan Bradley with a 65.
Huh was asked if he had a round of 59 on his mind.
“Not really,” he said. “I knew if I made a couple more birdies it would have been nice, but I really never thought about a 59 in my head."
It was a tougher day for former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, who is also the defending champion and the hometown favorite. He was 10 strokes off the pace after a 69. He opened with a 71 on Thursday.
The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP is the only PGA TOUR event in Japan with a purse of $11 million.
Dry conditions are expected for the third round with rain possible on Sunday.