The Barclays 36 Hole Recap and Weekend Preview

Patrick Reed has the 36-hole lead at The Barclays, but Fowler, Spieth and Day are lurking close behind.

Patrick Reed has had arguably the best season of all PGA Tour players who have yet to win this season. He came into the week ranked seventh in the FedExCup standings thanks to nine top 10s and 14 top 25s for the year. Reed was looking to make a statement in the playoffs, and he’s done just that through 36 holes at The Barclays. He followed his opening five-under 66 with a 68 in windy conditions to take a two-shot lead over the field at Bethpage.

Reed has been on-target with his irons this week. He is currently second in strokes gained: approach-to-green and T6 in greens in regulation percentage. When you combine that with his ranking of fourth in strokes gained: putting, it’s easy to see why he’s out front. If he can keep the ball in the fairway this weekend, he could be looking at his first victory in more than a year.

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Reed’s Olympic teammate from a few weeks ago, Rickie Fowler, is currently two shots back. Fowler went bogey-free and shot a two-under 69 on Friday to jump into prime position heading into the weekend. Ball striking has been key for Fowler this week, as he is sixth in strokes gained: tee-to-green. He’s had a few decent finishes of late, but nothing close to what we’ve come to expect from a player of his caliber. He’s struggled to avoid big numbers, and if he expects to contend for the win this weekend, he’ll need to be on his game.

Things could have come completely undone for Jordan Spieth on Friday. He started his day by double-bogeying his opening hole, the difficult 10th. From there, he stayed with it and battled to save pars before making four birdies and an eagle to finish his day. Spieth has been putting as well as ever, ranking seventh for the week in strokes gained: putting. He needs to focus on getting comfortable with his driver, however, because you can’t score from the rough on this course. Spieth is only four shots back and in a great position to make a run at the win on Sunday afternoon.

Aug 26, 2016; Farmingdale, NY, USA; Jordan Spieth watches his putt on the 13th hole during the second round of The Barclays golf tournament at Bethpage State Park – Black Course. Mandatory Credit: Eric Sucar-USA TODAY Sports /

Jason Day, the top-ranked player in both the world and the FedExCup standings, is once again contending at an event which he dominated last season. He started his day by going five-under through his first seven holes, so it could have been a special round. Unfortunately, he would play his next three holes in four-over par and ended up settling for a second round 70. Day has been dialed in with his irons this week, as he is sixth in strokes gained: approach-to-green. What has been holding him back, however, is his driving, as he has hit just 39 percent of the fairways so far. This has been an issue for Day all summer. He will need to tighten up that part of his game if he wants to repeat as The Barclays winner.

Dustin Johnson, who came into the week second in the points standings, finds himself at even-par through two rounds, eight shots back of the lead. Adam Scott, who played with Johnson and Day, is at one-under after entering the week third in points. Rory McIlroy is still trying to find his putting stroke. He is 76th in strokes gained: putting but third in strokes gained: tee-to-green — all told, he’s only six behind Reed.

A lot of points are on the line this week. Some players are looking to add a win, while others are looking for their first of the year. Will Patrick Reed be able to hold off some of the big names in his rearview mirror? Or will a guy like Emiliano Grillo, who is currently tied for second with Fowler, rise up and take this thing? There are so many interesting storylines at this very difficult course.

Next: Who Should Darren Clarke Pick for Team Europe?

Who will win The Barclays? Let us know what you think in the comments, and keep it here at Pro Golf Now for more FedEx Cup updates.

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