St Jude Classic 54 Hole Recap and Sunday Preview
By Ryan Andrade
Berger leads the St Jude Classic as DJ and Phil try to chase him down –
Daniel Berger has created a bit of separation already in the FedEx St Jude Classic after his bogey-free 6-under 64 on Friday. The 23 year-old will look to take home his first PGA TOUR career win this weekend.
Berger has put on a ball striking clinic so far. He ranks 1st in strokes gained tee to green through the first two rounds, as he has gained a whopping 10.022 strokes. It’s been very impressive to be as sharp as he as been at a course that has played very difficult through the first two rounds. He has a three shot lead to play with going into the weekend, but on this course that can disappear in an instant.
The man sitting in solo 2nd is Tom Hoge. Where Berger has gotten things done with his iron play, Hoge has relied more on his putter. He is currently 2nd in strokes gained putting through two rounds, which is impressive on these tough bermuda greens.
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The three biggest names in the St Jude Classic field are all sitting in a tie for 3rd and four shots back of the lead. Those men would be Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Brooks Koepka.
Dustin Johnson looked like he would be closer to the lead than he is now. Unfortunately a bogey-double bogey finish left him four back of Berger. Johnson just flat out let a few shots go the first two rounds. He has really hit the ball very well, but especially his driving has been on this week. He did also miss quite a few makable putts on Friday. DJ has made two eagles, but also two double bogeys this week. He needs to just find a little more consistency in his game is he expects to take home his first win of the year this weekend.
Phil Mickelson made up a lot of ground on Friday with a 5-under 65 when the course was playing very difficult. He really hasn’t hit the ball well at all this week, as evidence by his 69th ranking in strokes gained tee to green. It’s been the putter once again this week for Phil that has kept him in it, as he ranks 1st in strokes gained putting. Amazingly, Lefty is still looking for his first win on the PGA TOUR since the 2013 Open Championship. He will need to hit the ball a little better this weekend to have a good chance.
Brooks Koepka also had a very nice round on Friday with a bogey-free 5-under 65. Koepka is T-1 in greens in regulation so far this week, hitting over 77% of the greens. He has been able to give himself plenty of good looks to make birdies. Koepka is looking for his 2nd career win at the St Jude Classic. He almost got things done a few weeks ago at the Byron Nelson, as he lost in a playoff to Sergio Garcia.
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Conditions at the St Jude Classic are going to be very similar to the first three days. There are a chance of storms on Sunday that could soften up this golf course, however. There shouldn’t be much wind, but this course is still extremely penal. It will be fun to see if the big names can deny Daniel Berger his first win.