Sebastian Munoz isn’t playing like a guy who has never come close to winning a PGA Tour event.
The 24-year-old rookie from Colombia posted a 3-under-par 67 to take a three-stroke lead over Hudson Swafford and Ben Martin midway through the Greenbrier Classic on the Old White TPC Course at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
“It was a good round,” said Munoz, who opened with a 61. “I found a little trouble hitting the fairway on the back nine and made a couple of bogeys, but I was able to make some birdie putts on the front.
“Double-digits under par (for two rounds) is very good and I’m pretty happy about it. … Consistency and keep it simple, steady, hit the green and make the most of your chances. I’m taking advantage of some of my past experiences this week.”
Munoz, who won the 2016 Club Colombia Championship on the Web.com Tour but has done no better than a tie for 27th in the Valero Texas Open during his first season on the PGA Tour, has a 36-hole total of 12-under 128.
Swafford birdied two of the last three holes in a bogey-free 66 and is even with Martin, who birdied four of his first seven holes en route to a 67.
Danny Lee, who won the Greenbrier Classic two years ago but was unable to defend his title when the tournament was canceled by massive flooding last year, shot 67 despite a double bogey-7 on the 12th hole and is four shots back in a tie for fourth with Russell Henley, who carded a 64, and Davis Love III, who totaled 69.
Jamie Lovemark of Rancho Santa Fe and USC recorded a bogey-free 64 and is another stroke behind in a tie for seventh with Xander Schauffele (69) of San Diego, Kelly Kraft (66), Robert Streb (68) and Nick Taylor (69) of Canada.
Patrick Reed is tied for 16th after a 69, Bubba Watson is tied for 21st following a 67 and Phil Mickelson slid to a tie for 56th with a 72.
