Tommy Fleetwood, seeking his elusive first win on the PGA Tour, carded a second round 64 to open up a three-stroke lead at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the opening tournament of the season-ending FedEx Cup playoffs.
Play was suspended on Friday afternoon with 21 golfers on the course at TPC Southwind as heavy rains flooded the area.
The Englishman, who lost in agonising fashion at the Travelers Championship in June, carded seven birdies on Friday, all of which arrived in flurries, with three on the bounce from the second to the fourth and then a four-in-a-row streak from the 13th to 16th hole.
He had built up a five-stroke lead at one stage but gave one back on the 18th to miss out on a second successive 63 in Memphis.
Fleetwood, on 13-under heading into the weekend, leads by three strokes his compatriot Justin Rose.
Rose, who concluded his second round on the resumption of play early on Saturday morning, mixed seven birdies with three bogeys for a round of 66, enough for solo second at the halfway stage.
Collin Morikawa shot a round of five-under 65, highlighted by holing out from the fairway for an eagle at the par-4 ninth. Overnight leader Bhatia followed up his opening round 62 with a one-under 69.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who opened with a 67, had a rollercoaster round that included four bogeys and eight birdies to reach seven-under at the midway point.
The four-time major champion was visibly frustrated at times during the round, attempting to kick his club after one errant drive.
Lowry, well off the pace after a disappointing 73 on Thursday, was somewhat improved on Friday, recording four birdies and three bogeys in his opening 14 holes, including one at the short 14th before rain halted play.
The Offaly man would add another birdie at the par-five 16th this morning to finish with a much-improved round of 68.
The top 70 in the FedEx Cup points standings qualified for the St. Jude. Those inside the top-50 after Sunday will qualify for the BMW Championship, the second round of the play-offs held next week in Owings Mills.
"It hasn't happened for me yet out on the PGA Tour but I would much rather be up there and not quite get it done than not there at all," Fleetwood said after his round.
"Who knows, maybe this weekend is the weekend and we’ll see, and we’ll crack on from there.
"I’m happy to put myself in with a chance over the weekend. I think that’s exactly where you want to be and keep testing yourself."
With additional reporting: Reuters
