WWT Championship at Mayakoba: Russell Henley leads by three shots after second round | Golf News

Russell Henley carded an eight-under 63 for the second straight day to secure a three-shot lead at 16 under; Sam Ryder and day one leader Will Gordon, who are tied for second at 13 under; Ryder and Gordon are each looking for their first PGA Tour wins

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Highlights from the second round of the World Wide Technology Championship in Mayakoba

Russell Henley fired his second straight round of eight under to take a three-shot lead at the World Technology Championship at Mayakoba on Friday in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

For the second day in a row, Henley racked up eight bogey-free birdies in the Round of 63. At 16 under for the tournament, he set a cushion on Sam Ryder and day one leader Will Gordon, who are tied for second at 13. below.

Henley started his round at El Camaleon Golf Club on the back nine and birdied four on each side. He rolled in three in a row on holes 11 through 13, as well as on holes six through eight.

“It starts off the tee,” Henley said after his round. “There are some intimidating tee shots for me and I just try to commit to what I’m doing and commit to trying a good shot. Just being in a good headspace for those tee shots is a good start.”

Russell Henley has a three-stroke lead in two rounds at Mayakoba

Gordon was the leader after a first-round 62. He had a bogey-free card on Friday, but just four birdies to see him drop back into a share of second.

Ryder, meanwhile, shot a seven-under 29 on the front nine but ran out of steam, bogging holes 10 and 16 on his way to carding a 65.

“I went out and didn’t really miss much up front, I was playing really solid, driving well, putting putts are always nice, I had a chip in,” Ryder said. “Then I just loosened up a bit on my back and that spot, with a bit more wind, it can be a bit more jumpy off the tee.

“I think I just got a little out of sync there, but I handled it pretty well.

“It was a two nine tale for me but overall I’m pretty happy with how I did and I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Ryder and Gordon are each looking for their first PGA Tour victories.

Patton Kizzire shot his second straight 65 to sit fourth at 12 under, while Sweden’s David Lingmerth is fifth at 11 under after his 66.

Harry Higgs shot the round of the day, a 9-under 62, to tie for sixth at 10 under with Brian Harman and Scotsman Martin Laird.

Higgs remained bogey-free and drilled from 86 yards for an eagle at third-par-four to go with seven birdies.

“I thought it was going to be really good, so everything I said was ‘in’, and that’s usually the curse,” Higgs said of his eagle. “Either he’ll like to fly into the hole and get out, or he’ll get out. Luckily I called him early and he fell into the hole.”

World No. 9 Collin Morikawa shot a bogey-free 63, including four straight birdies on holes four through seven to pull away from the cut line and to a tie for 14th at eight under.

“This golf course, the way it’s played, you can post two really good ones on the weekends,” Morikawa said. “I’m definitely going to need it if I want to be in the running, but after today I feel pretty good.”

Sixty-eight players made the cut by at least four pennies. Notable names to miss include Tony Finau (three cents), Jason Dufner (three cents) and England’s Justin Rose (one cent).