Jason Day improves through 36 holes in Paris
Hideki Matsuyama – one of three leaders at the halfway stage – image PGA Tour IGF
Jason Day added a second round of 3 under 68 at the Olympic Men’s competition at Le Golf National in Paris and at 5 under par through 36 holes he shares 13th place, six shots behind joint leaders Hideki Matsuyama, Tommy Fleetwood and defending champion Xander Schauffele.
Day’s only real blemish of the day came when he found the water at the par 3 16th but was able to salvage a bogey from the drop zone although his four birdies have opened the door for a strong weekend to have him in contention for a medal.
“It was much more focused. Actual left-to-right, I played nice today,” said Day. “The only downside to the game today is I missed one green and that was when I missed the green on 16. Hit it in the water.
“But I think overall, it would have been nice to be able to capitalise on the par 5s a little bit more. There’s only three of them, so just poor drives on 9 and 14. And if I can get that on the fairway, then at least give myself an opportunity to get up near the green, try and work a little bit there. But yeah, other than that, it was nice work today. I just have to push a little bit over the weekend.”
When asked if this week carries a different mindset given there are just three medals up for grabs Day responded;
“It really does. Because you’re trying to push, you know what I mean. You want to pick up a medal. I’m currently six back so we have some work to do over the weekend.”
Min Woo Lee bounced back from an opening round of 76 to record an eight birdie round of 65 to jump 24 places and into a share of 35th.
“Yeah, it was great,” said Lee. “Played really good. But yeah just got off to a really good start and that definitely helps. Especially at a course like this, if you start average, then it’s pretty hard to come back. So yeah, just didn’t give up, really. And that was kind of the motto after yesterday. Yesterday was tough but tough days of golf happen. Pat on the back for not giving up and playing good golf.”
New Zealand’s Ryan Fox recovered from an opening nine of 40 for a round of 73 to follow his impressive 67 yesterday although he has slipped 20 places to 30th.
Fox’s teammate Daniel Hillier is back in 59th place in the 60-man field after his second round of 73.
