Willowy Will Zalatoris continued his good play in major pro golf tournaments by shooting a five-under par 65 today to go with his 66 yesterday and grab the sole lead of the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His 131 is tied for the lowest 36-hole total in the history of this tournament. Alone in second place is rookie unknown Mito Pereira of Chile, South America. Powerful Justin Thomas is lurking close behind three strokes back at 134 total. Then there is the long-hitting left hander, always interesting, two-time Masters champ Bubba Watson at five-under par 135. Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, who held the sole lead yesterday, is still within striking distance at 3-under par 137 total.
Zalatoris is a confident guy who feels very comfortable on this track. He won the amateur Trans Miss here in 2016. He’s long off the tee and knows how to manage his game. Plus, I like his putting technique–anchoring his long putter against his left arm.
I think Zalatoris could go the full distance this week to lift the Wannamaker Trophy on Sunday. But he’ll still have to bring his grit and game. He’s still got some the game’s best players right on his tail.
Tiger Woods showed his bravado again, like he did at last year’s Masters, by overcoming a near fatal car accident 15 months ago to make the cut this week at three-over par 143 and therefore still be the hunt this weekend, although he’ll need quite a charge to overcome a 12 stroke deficit.
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