Sam Burns equates to a 36-hole scoring record at Riviera Country Club and moves to 12 under in Genesis Invitational; Dustin Johnson in four-way tie for second place but Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas miss the cut
Last Updated: 20/02/21 1:13 am
Sam Burns approaches the ninth hole in the second round of the Genesis Invitational
Sam Burns was in a form similar to how he stayed off the field after the second round of the Genesis Invitational.
The 24-year-old American added five under-66s to his 64-in-one opening at Riviera Country Club to move to 12-under 130 at the half-way level, matching the course’s 36-hole scoring record.
It’s five clear hits of the world ‘s No. 1 touchdowns Dustin Johnson leads a four-on-seven group that also includes fellow Americans Tyler McCumber and Jason Kokrak and Joaquin Niemann from Chile, which burned 68 all.
The world No 149 also fully achieved several of the biggest names in the sport as Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson missed the cut.
Burns, who is unbeaten in his previous 69 PGA Tour starts and has the best finish of a third tie at the 2018 Sanderson Farms Tournament, started early on Friday 10th with a two-shot win.
He expanded that quickly with a birdie at the 10th short par-four and another win at the 12th after a brilliant work shot shooting to five feet.
A tough birdie followed at the 17th par-five and was close to an eagle at the first before sending his last eunie thanks to a tee shot to five feet at the sixth par-three.
0:49 Sam Burns is set to stick to his play plan over the weekend after leveling Riviera’s 36-hole scoreboard to 12 under
Burns said: “This morning it was cold, but I think we had a good game plan coming in today and I tried to stick to it all day. feeling like I hit it off well and managed to turn my looks around, so hopefully I can keep doing that. “
Johnson slipped with an early bogey at second but came into life by recalling an almost impossible, 29-foot, rowboat for a birdie at sixth.
Dustin Johnson won by five hits at Riviera in 2017
More birdies followed at the ninth, 10th, 12th and 17th as he carded 67 and the presence of the 2017 champion five behind him is sure to keep Burns ahead.
Johnson said: “No one is going to get the job over the weekend. I will definitely have to take advantage of the school children for the next two or three days. But other than that I’m ‘feel like I’m turning my magazines well, I’m rolling the putter nicely, so looking forward to the weekend.
“I love my career. I’m five back, but on this golf course there’s only one man in front of me. I like where I am and I like this golf course, and I hope that I can drive a little bit better on the weekends and give myself a few more opportunities. “
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February 20, 2021, 4:00 p.m.
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Jordan Spieth maintained his improved form with the second after 68 for a share of sixth place on six under with Max Homa and Wyndham Clark.
1:39 Jordan Spieth is happy to pick up his move after accumulating a second after 68
England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick’s water fight with only a par-level 71 to stay on five under, with back bogs at the 15th and 16th damaging his cart, while Brooks Koepka (70) a man behind on four under and Jon Rahm another bullet back after closing with two consecutive birds for 69.
McIlroy was once again looking out of sorts in the quick and difficult situations as he missed his first cut since The Open in 2019 after posting five more than 76 which allowed him to seven more.
He could only control one birdie that he would sand with four bogs before six double bogs at his last hole, the eighth.
DeChambeau improved on his opening 75 with 69 but was still two out of the cut line on two more, and Thomas finished one behind McIlroy on eight after 73.
Garcia missed out on the weekend with a man after par-71 level with a double-dip at the 16th going after Watson’s chances at three when 75 left him on four overs.
In contrast, defensive champion Adam Scott (73) grabbed the 16th as he made the cut at par level.
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