Tony C. McCray Blog: Jason Dufner Explodes to Commanding Lead at Memorial

Friday, June 2, 2017

Jason Dufner Explodes to Commanding Lead at Memorial

Jason Dufner fired his second consecutive 7-under 65 Friday to reach -14 under at The Memorial, opening up a 5-stroke lead over his nearest competitor.

His 7-under was the best round of the day, a stroke better than Rickie Fowler, who fired a 6-under 66 to climb 10 spots to third place at 8-under. Dufner racked up five birdies and added an eagle 2 on No. 18 to finish the round in style.

The eagle hit the green about 10 feet from the hole and rolled backwards on a straight line into it.

He’s five strokes ahead of fellow American Daniel Summerhays, who reached 9-under by shooting a 69 to follow up his opening-round 66.

Jordan Spieth slipped into a tie for fourth at 6-under after shooting an even-par 72 on Friday.

Headed in the wrong direction is Sweden’s David Lingmerth, who followed up his Thursday 65 with a Friday 2-over 74 to tumble into a tie for seventh.

Phil Mickelson shot his second straight 2-under to sit tied fort 13th at 4-under.

The cut came down at 3-over, leaving the likes of Luke Donald, Retief Goosen, Billy Horschel, Hunter Mahan, Jon Rahm and Jim Furyk on the wrong side of the rope.

At 14-under through two rounds, Dufner is taking aim at Tom Lehman’s course record of 20-under set in 1994. Dufner leads by five strokes. The record for widest margin of victory is seen srokes set by Tiger Woods in 2001.