Van Aswegen claims second-round lead at Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank

Farmington, Utah— Tyrone Van Aswegen used a second-round 6-under 65 to take the 36-hole lead at the Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank. Daniel Summerhays and Joshua Creel sit one stroke off the lead at 8-under 134, followed by Justin Lower at 7-under 135.

Van Aswegen began the day four shots off the lead, but ascended the leaderboard Friday afternoon in windy conditions. After playing his first six holes 1-under, he caught fire with an eagle on the par-5 seventh. He added birdies on Nos. 9, 10 and 13 to reach 9-under for the tournament and take the solo-lead.

“I just needed to get some opportunities to play and I’ve been hitting the ball really well,” said Van Aswegen. “It’s a good reflection this week. My putting is good, I’ve been striking the ball good, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the weekend.”

Van Aswegen finished last season ranked 127th in the FedExCup standings after a missed cut at the Wyndham Championship. Prior to this week, the 37-year-old made only five starts on the Korn Ferry Tour this season and is currently ranked 158th in The 25. Van Aswegen has made three cuts in 11 starts on the PGA TOUR this season and is looking to find his game as he balances time between the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour.

“It’s tough,” he said of playing both the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour. “You want to get out there [PGA TOUR] and get some starts, because you base your thinking on the previous year. You don’t know when you’re going to get in and when you do get in, you have to play well, and I haven’t done that this year.”

Sitting one stroke off the lead is Utah native Daniel Summerhays. The 35-year-old, who grew up playing at Oakridge Country Club, carded four birdies against one bogey at his home course on Friday. Starting on the back nine, Summerhays recorded birdies on Nos. 12 and 13. After a bogey on the par-3 14th, Summerhays tallied two birdies and 11 pars over his last 13 holes, earning him a share of second place.

“I’m so glad that it’s windy,” Summerhays said. “They always joke that if it’s really difficult out, you’re going to see Summerhays up close to the top of the leaderboard. I pride myself in being able to think my way around the golf course and staying patient.”

Summerhays won the 2000 Utah State Amateur at Oakridge Country Club and continued his college career at Brigham Young University. The 35-year-old currently lives in Farmington, Utah, and had the local crowd behind him Friday morning.

“There’s a lot of distractions, and I love it,” Summerhays said of his family and friends in attendance. “I’ve got so many people out there that I love, and they love me. It’s fun performing at a high level. I feel like my game continues to get better and hopefully we’ll get a big crowd out tomorrow afternoon.”

Joshua Creel used a bogey-free 66 on Friday to earn a share of second place. The 29-year-old, making his first start in Utah, carded five birdies on Friday at Oakridge Country Club.

Creel is currently ranked 78th in The 25 and is playing in his first full season on the Korn Ferry Tour. With a good finish this week, he could become a serious threat to earn a PGA TOUR card.

“A good finish maybe locks up a spot in The 75 and into the Finals and being set for next year,” said Creel. “Then who knows, a win gets me on the brink of getting in the big show, so I’ll play as well as I can and see what happens.”

Justin Lower sits alone in fourth place after posting a second-round 1-under 70. Rob Oppenheim, Luke Guthrie, Lanto Griffin, Kyle Westmoreland and Zac Blair are tied for fifth at 6-under 136.