Nobody expected him: Sahith Theegala remains in the lead on day 2. He goes into the weekend with 12-under par and two shots ahead of pursuers Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele in shared second place. Patrick Cantlay is also in fourth place with 9-under par. After a botched first day, Sepp Straka and Stephan Jäger put in two good laps and just about made it into the weekend on T55.
Theegala holds the leadership position on the PGA Tour
Sahith Theegala, who at the age of 24 has only been a professional for two years, goes into the weekend as the leader. His first round had to be abandoned after 16 holes due to darkness and completed before the start of round two on day two. Things didn’t go so well for the American at first. After remaining bogey-free on the first day, he couldn’t find his way back into the game on the morning of the second day and noted a bogey on each of the two remaining holes.
However, he found his best form again just in time for the start of his second lap. Theegala managed four birdies on the first five holes. A bogey on lane 8 didn’t seem to faze the rookie as he posted another four birdies on his back nine for a 7-under par result for the day. With this result, he secured the lead with a two-stroke lead over his pursuers Koepka and Schauffele.
David vs. Goliath: Theegala’s pursuers are golfing greats
The pressure on Theegala could hardly be greater. Three top 20 places in the world rankings are trying to challenge him for his leading position. Brooks Koepka, defending champion and number 20 in the world rankings, currently shares second place with Xander Schauffele, eighth in the world rankings. Brooks Koepka played a 66 again on day two: the defending champion recorded six birdies and one bogey. This consistent performance gives reason to hope for a weekend in top form.
4-iron from 224 yards ➡️ 11 feet@BKoepka gets within 3 of the lead. pic.twitter.com/4MyugqCP3H
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 11, 2022
At the same level is Xander Schauffele, who went one step further and remained bogey-free. With six birdies he increased his total score to 10-under par and drew level with Koepka.
Patrick Cantlay is the third in the top-class group of pursuers. Cantlay also had a clean round on Day 2 and sits alone fourth with a total of 9-under par. He is currently fourth in the world rankings and therefore a dangerous pursuer with a clear goal.
Already heating up at the 16th. 🔥@Patrick_Cantlay moves to T2 at -6. pic.twitter.com/ejZTz3rzAt
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 11, 2022
World No. 1 Jon Rahm and World No. 7 Justin Thomas are tied for 23rd after Day 2. Both only played 1-under-par on the second day and can’t stay in the upper ranks in the strong starting field for the time being. Lucky for underdog Sahith Theegala.
The German-speaking players find their way back into the game
Sepp Straka and Stephan Jäger each botched their first laps. Stephan Jäger started the tournament 2-over-par but shone on Day 2 to make the cut. Thanks to five birdies and just one bogey, he finished tied for 55th place. He shares this rank with Sepp Straka, among others. The Austrian also saved himself after going 1-over-par in Round 1 with a good round on Day 2. Five birdies and two bogeys were enough to make the cut. This will continue for the two German-speaking players at the weekend.
As always, hole 16 offered a lot of entertainment
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is best known for its 16th hole. Thousands of spectators crowd around the “party hole” and hope for spectacular results on the par 3. In addition to the pros, numerous celebrities also tee off here. Music, cheering and other fun are definitely allowed here!
Everyone wants a shot on No. 16 @WMPhoenixOpen with the gallery packed.
These celebrities got their chance.
(presented by @WHOOP) pic.twitter.com/KGqF4lqFZa
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 12, 2022
Hats off to this camera operator. 🏗 pic.twitter.com/pAAf0LAK7D
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 12, 2022
Tens of thousands of spectators watched the spectacle on the PGA Tour on day 2 as well. The best pictures from the second day of the World Championship Phoenix Open.
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