Bryson DeChambeau has proven that he belongs on the PGA Tour, but he’s looking for more.
DeChambeau, the 24-year-old from Clovis in California’s San Joaquin Valley who won the NCAA Championship and U.S. Amateur in 2015, carded a career-low 7-under-par 64 to grab a one-stroke lead over Si Woo Kim of South Korea and Ian Poulter of England midway through the RBC Classic at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
“I played beautifully all day, especially my wedge game,” said DeChambeau, who claimed his first PGA Tour title last year in the John Deere Classic. “I also made some putts and was able to finish the round with the lead. I tied for fourth here two years ago and wanted more.
“My putting is so much better, from three feet and from 15 feet, and I’m hitting my wedges closer. I know now what it takes to be among the elite of the game, and I’m not there yet, but I’m trending in the right direction.
“If I can keep hitting fairways and greens tomorrow, I should be fine.”
DeChambeau, who opened with a 68, kick-started his second round with a 10-foot birdie putt on the second hole and carded three birdies in four holes through No. 17 while recording a 36-hole score of 10-under 132.
Poulter, playing his sixth straight week after winning the Houston Open to qualify for the Masters last week, continued his strong play with a bogey-free 64, while Kim overcame a double-bogey 6 on the 14th hole with five birdies while finishing his 65 on the front nine.
Brandt Snedeker, the 2011 Heritage champion, shot 64 with five birdies on his last seven holes and is two shots back in a tie for fourth with Luke List, who was bogey-free in another 65, Chesson Hadley, who had a 68, and first-round leader Rory Sabbatini of South Africa, who finished at 70.
C.T. Pan of Taiwan posted a 65 and is another stroke back in a tie for eighth with Danny Lee (68) of New Zealand, Billy Horschel (69), Bill Haas (66) and Charles Howell III (67).
Top-ranked Dustin Johnson put up a second straight 69 and is tied for 20th, while defending champion Wesley Bryan is tied for 42nd after a 72.
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