Patrick Reed, tied for the lead after 18 holes, pulled away from the field in the second round of the 21st Hero World Challenge.
Reed collected five birdies on the back nine to post his second straight 6-under-par 66 and take a three-stroke lead over Gary Woodland midway through the tournament at Albany Golf Club https://www.albanybahamas.com in New Providence, Bahamas.
“I just tried to stay patient on the front nine, hit fairways and qualify iron shots, and was able to do that,” said Reed, who shared the lead with Woodland after the first round. “I knew that on the back nine there were several holes playing downwind that I would be able to attack, and I did that.
“I hit a great 6-iron to within three feet and made the birdie putt on the last hole, and that gives me confidence going into tomorrow. I hit a lot of great putts today, long putts and short putts.”
Reed, who has collected seven birdies in each of his first two rounds, posted a 36-hole score of 12-under 132.
Woodland rebounded from back-to-back bogeys on the 14th and 15th holes to finish with three straight birdies and shot 69, while defending champion Jon Rahm of Spain totaled 66 and is four shots back in a tie for third with Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who had a 67.
Tournament host Tiger Woods, who has won his tournament five times, bounced back with a bogey-free 66 that included an eagle on the 11th hole and is six behind in a tie for fifth with 2017 champion Rickie Fowler of Murrieta and Justin Thomas, who both finished at 69.
Justin Rose of England shot 70 and is one more down in eighth, while Webb Simpson carded a 68 and is nine strokes back in a tie for ninth with Matt Kuchar and Kevin Kisner, who both had 70s, and Chez Reavie, who came in at 73.
Jordan Spieth, the 2014 winner, carded a 70 and is tied for 14th with 2015 champ Bubba Watson, who struggled to a 73.
For complete results, visit https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/hero-world-challenge/leaderboard.html
