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A18 SPORTS
Saturday 23 June 2018

PGA Tour: Brian Harman takes 1-shot lead in Travelers

By PAT EATON-ROBB, during his round of 68 when
AP Sports Writer his birdie putt hung on the
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — lip of the cup at the third
Brian Harman shot a 4-un- hole for longer than the
der 66 on Friday to move to maximum allowed 10 sec-
10-under par and watched onds before falling in, giv-
that hold up for the sec- ing him a par.
ond-round lead in the Trav- “After 10 seconds, the ball
elers Championship, thanks was moving and at that
in part to a 10-second rule. point even if the ball is
Harman finished a stroke moving, It’s deemed to be
ahead of Matt Jones and at rest, because it’s on the
first round co-leader Zach lip,” Johnson said. “Don’t
Johnson, who lost a stroke ask me why, but that’s just

Brian Harman watches his tee shot on the sixth hole during the second round of the Travelers
Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Friday, June 22, 2018.
Associated Press
the way it is.” Harman had away with that four. That’s ly get more momentum
his short game working for as good an up and down when guys are playing well.
the second consecutive as I’ve ever witnessed or I obviously couldn’t get a
day, taking 26 putts after performed.” whole lot of momentum
needing only 23 during the Lanto Griffin and two-time out there. I was kind of hov-
first round. “The putter has Travelers champion Bubba ering around 1- or 2-under.
been really good so far, Watson were at even par It was pretty much just Bub-
but I’ve been in position a coming into Friday. But ba today. Rory didn’t play
lot,” he said. “I’ve had a lot both shot a 63 to move into great either and both of us
of good looks at it. I’m just contention heading into definitely could have had a
able to put a little pressure the weekend, three shots lot lower rounds”
on the course right now, behind the leader. Watson Defending champion Jor-
which is nice.” Jones hit 16 jump started his round with dan Spieth, tied with John-
of 18 greens for the second an eagle on his third hole, son after an opening 63,
consecutive day, following the par-5 13th. had a 73 to drop into a
up his first round 65 with a “I had some mental mis- tie for 25th at 4 under. His
66. Bryson DeChambeau takes yesterday, and then round, which started on the
(66), Paul Casey (67) and I didn’t make some putts,” back nine, included a triple
Russell Henley (65) were said Watson. “Today I start- bogey on the par-5 13th
two strokes back going into ed out hotter. I made a hole and an eagle on par-
the weekend. good shot on 11, our sec- 5 sixth, when he put his sec-
But Johnson, who start- ond hole, made the putt, ond shot within 2 feet of the
ed on the 10th tee, had making a solid par putt on hole from 276 yards away.
the day’s most interest- 12, and then that freed “I don’t go to the range af-
ing round, which included me up a little bit. Gave me ter 63s very often, and I was
just two birdies, but one some confidence going there for an hour yesterday
amazing par save. He hit into the next hole where I trying to figure out the golf
the ball into the TPC River made the eagle.” swing,” he said. “So it’s not
Highland’s signature lake Rory McIlroy also is at 7 un- like things are on. Some-
on No. 17, dropped across der after a 69. McIlroy, times it can get disguised
the water near the 16th tee Watson and Justin Thomas by rounds, but it’s not far
box and then put his third (5 under) were grouped to- off. It really is close.”
shot within 8 feet of the gether Thursday and Friday, Masters champion Patrick
hole from 234 yards away. drawing large galleries. Reed, coming off a fourth-
“You can’t hit that shot and “I definitely helps, Thomas place finish in the U.S.
then not make that putt,” said. “It’s fun playing with Open, shot a 67 to miss the
he said. “It felt good to get good friends. You definite- cut by a shot at minus-1.q