Michael Thompson has his work cut out for him if he is to maintain his lofty perch atop the leaderboard at the US$5.2 million Canadian Open.
Thompson, who has never held or shared a lead on the PGA Tour, fired a second round four-under 66 on Friday and is tied for the lead with fellow American Chad Campbell on the unforgiving Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club course. They are both at four-under 136.
“This is my fifth tournament in a row and currently the best stretch I’ve played all year,” Thompson said. “I got off to a rough start kind of getting used to the PGA Tour and the lifestyle and the people at each event. Trying to find my own place. In the last few months, I’ve really begun to find my comfort zone, so to speak.”
Campbell shot 67 and Thompson went one better later in the day, closing with a birdie on the tough 472-yard, par-four 18th.
Americans Paul Goydos (69) and Lee Janzen (68) had a share of the lead, but both made bogey on the final hole to finish at three-under 137.
Masters champion Charl Schwartzel (67), Australian Geoff Ogilvy (68), Rickie Fowler (69), Jerry Kelly (67), Canadians David Hearn (68) and Adam Hadwin (66), and first-round leader Kris Blanks (71) were at two-under.
The 26-year-old Thompson is playing some of the best golf of his career finishing fourth at the Travelers Championship and 12th at the John Deere Classic.
Campbell rolled in five birdies and made a pair of bogeys on Friday. He is also on a hot streak and tied for fifth at The Open last week.
“A lot of golf left, but I’m definitely happy with the start,” Campbell said.
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