In Memphis, Hideki Matsuyama and Denny McCarthy putted nearly 300 feet on Friday, leading them to share the lead at the FedEx St. Jude Championship heading into the weekend.
Matsuyama had a 6-under 64, recovering from a shaky start by making two long birdie putts and a 3-wood shot to about 12 feet on the 16th hole. McCarthy, known for his smooth putting stroke, made three birdie putts from over 25 feet to offset two bogeys in his round of 63.
They both stood at 11-under 129, one shot ahead of another great putter, Sam Burns who shot a 63.
Scottie Scheffler finished strong with three straight birdies for a 65, putting him two shots behind the lead.
McCarthy, currently at No. 45, is aiming for his first PGA Tour win to secure a spot in the Tour Championship for the top 30. Justin Rose, outside the top 50, had a 66 and was tied for fifth with Nick Dunlap (65).
Despite dealing with a stolen bag last week in London, Matsuyama remained in good spirits and focused on his game. Players will tee off in groups of three on both sides Saturday due to thunderstorms expected in the morning.
Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, combining three of the four majors and $44 million in earnings on the PGA Tour this year, garnered interest with their play in the scorching heat.
It was a challenging day on the course, with players like Jordan Spieth struggling. Spieth mentioned the possibility of wrist surgery in the offseason. Rory McIlroy also had a rough day, shooting 73 and leaving him tied for 58th.
Despite facing a torn labrum, McCarthy continues to perform well and remains hopeful for the weekend challenge ahead.
Matsuyama, who keeps details private, summed up his round by acknowledging some early mistakes but overall played well and putted effectively.
For both Matsuyama and McCarthy, the weekend presents an opportunity to secure their positions and move closer to a potential victory.
As the tournament progresses, players will have to adapt to the changing conditions and continue to showcase their skills under pressure.
