PALM HARBOR – Seeking his first career PGA Tour title, Matthew NeSmith birdied six of his last nine holes to tie the Valspar Championship’s low 18-hole score of 10-under (61) (Padraig Harrington from R-1 in 2012). NeSmith remains the only player bogey-free through 36 holes.
The 2017 Valspar Championship winner, Adam Hadwin, sits solo-second in bid to become the event’s fourth multiple winner while Sam Burns is in serious contention to join Paul Casey (2018-19) as only players to successfully defend a Valspar Championship title.
Justin Thomas opened with consecutive rounds of 66 or better for the seventh time on Tour but is four back. He has converted for the win on 3-of-6 previous occasions.
In search of his fourth career PGA Tour title and first since the 2017 RBC Canadian Open, 18-hole co-leader Jhonattan Vegas followed a 7-under (64) in R-1 with an even-par (71) and sits T-10 at 7-under (135).
As the second round came to a finish, 72 players at 3-under (139) or better made the cut from a field of 142 professionals and two amateurs.
Valspar Leaderboard After 36 Holes:
Matthew NeSmith 67-61—128 (-14)
Adam Hadwin 64-66—130 (-12)
Sam Burns 64-67—131 (-11)
Scott Stallings 65-66—131 (-11)
Justin Thomas 66-66—132 (-10)
Full Leaderboard (link)