Matsuyama ties Kisner for lead after scorching 64 at Quail Hollow
Hideki Matsuyama just can't stop shooting ridiculously low numbers on the PGA Tour.
After winning the WGC-Bridgestone last week with a remarkable 61 in the final round, the 25-year-old Japanese sensation kept it rolling Friday by absolutely blitzing Quail Hollow for a 7-under 64. That left him tied atop the PGA Championship leaderboard with Kevin Kisner when play was suspended due to darkness.
Kisner did his damage in the early morning rounds when the course played just as difficult as Friday, firing his second-straight 67, while Matsuyama dealt with a rain delay that softened the tricky layout significantly.
Making the turn at 2-under, Matsuyama ripped off five birdies in his last seven holes to fly up the leaderboard heading into the weekend. After making five bogeys Thursday, Matsuyama cleaned things up and avoided giving any strokes back in a bogey-free 18 holes Friday.
The five-time PGA Tour winner wasn't the only one making a run Friday, as 2015 PGA Champion Jason Day jumped into third with a sizzling 66. That score left him two shots back of the pair at the top, while Francesco Molinari matched Matsuyama's 64 to sit tied for fourth with Louis Oosthuizen and Chris Stroud.
| Place | Player | Total to par | 2nd round score |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-1 | Hideki Matsuyama | -8 | 64 |
| T-1 | Kevin Kisner | -8 | 67 |
| 3 | Jason Day | -6 | 66 |
| T-4 | Francesco Molinari | -5 | 64 |
| T-4 | Louis Oosthuizen | -5 | 67 |
| T-4 | Chris Stroud | -5 | Thru 13 holes |
| T-7 | Rickie Fowler | -3 | 70 |
| T-7 | Justin Thomas | -3 | 66 |
| T-7 | Paul Casey | -3 | 70 |