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Top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler carded a bogey-free eight-under par 64 to take a two-shot lead after the second round of Friday’s Hero World Challenge.
The 28-year-old American made eight birdies, including seven on the front nine, to stand at 13-under 131 after 36 holes in the 20-player unofficial invitational at the Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas.
Compatriots Justin Thomas and Akshay Bhatia share second place with 133, while US 2025 Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley is fourth with 135.
Scheffler matched the lowest 36-hole total of the event at Albany, a mark set by host Tiger Woods, but winds are expected for the weekend after two calm opening rounds.
“A lot of it is about keeping the ball in play,” Scheffler said. “When it’s windy it can be quite difficult to putt these greens because they can be quite fast.
“They can be difficult to read and as the winds pick up you start to miss fairways, you can end up in some really bad spots around here.”
Scheffler, who has won eight titles this year, including his second Masters green jacket and Paris Olympic gold, has modified his grip to improve his accuracy on the greens.
“I’m pretty comfortable with my starting lines all day,” Scheffler said. “I made a few important ones to keep the momentum going for the tour. Overall, I’m pretty happy with the results so far.”
Scheffler birdied the first four holes and seven on the front nine to take the lead, his longest birdie putt in the race a 17-footer at the par-4 fourth. His front-side 29 was one stroke away from the record course established by Rickie Fowler in 2017.
“I’m just trying to keep my foot on the pedal,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler dropped his approach at the par-4 14 inches from the hole for birdie to reach 13 under with a three-shot lead, then worked his way to the clubhouse.
“It was good. I did a lot of good things,” Scheffler said. “The first nine were really nice, and then the last nine, I felt like I did some good things as well.
“Maybe some things didn’t go my way, but below par as well, so overall a very solid day.”
Thomas and Bhatia, a two-time PGA Championship winner, each birdied the par-5 15th to close the gap early in the weekend, with Thomas shooting a 67 and Bhatia a 66.
Austrian Sepp Straka, Swede Ludvig Aberg and South Korean Im Sung-jae share fifth place out of 137.
Cameron Young, who led after the first day with a 64, stumbled to share 10th place after a 75 in the second round.
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