Cognizant Classic Round 2

Austin Smotherman proved his opening-round fireworks were the real deal, carding a steady 2-under 69 on Friday to reach 11-under par and take a three-shot lead into the weekend. Smotherman’s highlight of the day was a monster 55-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th, successfully surviving the Bear Trap to keep his cushion over Taylor Moore, who sits in solo second at 8-under. The biggest move of the day came from A.J. Ewart, who fired the round of the tournament so far—a bogey-free 8-under 63—to vault into a tie for third at 7-under alongside Nico Echavarria. Meanwhile, local favorite Brooks Koepka staged a heroic comeback; after a disastrous opening 74, he found his putting stroke to card a 5-under 66, safely making the cut at 2-under par. Other notable players making the weekend include Ben Silverman and Daniel Berger, while the projected cut settled at 1-under par, sending several big names home early.