Tony Finau in the hunt as Scott Piercy tops 3M Open leaderboard at TPC Twin Cities
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Updated 23/07/2022 at 07:52 GMT
TPC Twin Cities is playing host to the 3M Open, and Tony Finau is the star attraction. He flew back from the Open Championship in St Andrews at the weekend to compete and is well placed after 36 holes. Emiliano Grillo also impressed on Friday, while defending champion Cameron Champ just made the cut after a last-gasp run of birdies.
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Tony Finau’s name being towards the top of the leaderboard at the 3M Open will be a worry for the rest of the field after he eased into contention on Friday.
Finau carded a 68 but finds himself six shots adrift of Scott Piercy who had a second stunning day at TPC Twin Cities.
The second round started without Hideki Matsuyama, who withdrew with a wrist injury after he hit three balls into the water on the same hole on Thursday.
Finau flew into Minnesota after competing in the Open Championship last weekend, with the world No. 17 the star attraction in the field.
He began his round on Thursday with a bogey, suggesting fatigue could have been a problem, but went forward from there and carried the momentum into his second round on Friday.
Finau has easy power, but also possesses a deft touch and he showed that on his second hole when chipping in for a birdie.
Two more birdies followed in a round of 68 to leave him at seven-under after 36 holes.
“I was able to hit it nicely and had a lot of looks and allowed the course to come to me more than anything else,” Finau said. “I was happy with the way I’ve struck the golf ball the last couple of days and it has found me towards the top of the leaderboard.”
Piercy began the day at the top of the leaderboard and roared back there to secure a three-shot lead.
He had the occasional good break, but his putter was red hot and a string of birdie and par putts took him to 13-under.
Piercy made a string of changes to his equipment and support staff following a dire run of form, and they appear to be paying off.
Emiliano Grillo was one of the hottest players among the early starters, as he knocked in five birdies and an eagle in a round of 65 to sit at 10-under.
Callum Tarren is getting more accustomed to life on the PGA Tour and he produced a stunning round of 63. The Englishman from Darlington was hovering at the cut line early on Friday, but moved himself into contention at eight-under.
Defending champion Cameron Champ birdied four of his final five holes to sneak inside the cut at one-over. The 27-year-old has struggled for form since picking up a wrist injury last year, and this sizzling burst will build confidence as he looks to fight his way into the FedEx Cup field.
Jason Day had an eventful time of things, twice finding tee trouble, but he was able to get round in 72 to sit at level-par for the tournament.
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