MEXICO CITY (AFP) — Russell Henley, chasing his first PGA title since 2017, fired a second consecutive eight-under par 63 to seize a three-stroke lead after Friday’s second round of the Mayakoba Championship.
The 33-year-old American, who shared the lead for three rounds at last year’s US Open before a Sunday collapse, stood on 16-under 126 after 36 holes at El Camaleon in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
“I felt great the last two days,” Henley said. “Mentally felt confident and believing in what I was doing. Hit a lot of fairways and had some nice par saves that kept my round going. Very happy with where I am.”
Will Gordon, who matched the lowest round of his career with a 62 on Thursday for the 18-hole lead, shot 67 to share second with countryman Sam Ryder on 129, one stroke ahead of American Patton Kizzire with Swede David Lingmerth fifth on 131.
World No. 59 Henley won his first PGA title at the 2013 Sony Open in Hawaii, took the 2014 Honda Classic and captured the most recent of his three career tour crowns at the 2017 Houston Open.
In January, Henley challenged for another Hawaii victory but lost in a playoff to Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
