SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — The early wake-up call was well worth it for Matt Jones, who made two birdie putts in pristine conditions at Whistling Straits on Saturday morning to complete a 7-under 65 and build a two-shot lead in the PGA Championship.
It only gave Tiger Woods a chance to get home to Florida this afternoon. He completed a 73 and missed the cut in his third straight major.
Jones holed a 15-foot putt from the fringe on the short par-4 sixth hole, and he holed a 50-foot birdie putt on No. 8. That put another shot between Jones and fellow Australian Jason Day, who made a birdie and bogey in his final four holes and wound up with a 67.
Jones was at 11-under 133.
The second round was delayed when a strong storm packing gusts that approached 50 mph moved in late Friday. In two hours Saturday morning, the final major of the year set the stage for what traditionally is moving day.
Jones has never finished better than a tie for 30th in a major, and this is only the ninth he has played.
“For me, it’s amazing to be in the lead at a major,” he said. “I’ve been in the lead on a tour event, but a major is a different story. But I’m going to have fun with it, and I’m pretty relaxed on the golf course.”
Woods entered the Wyndham Championship late Friday, though he hedged slightly when asked if he would play. Woods has to finish at least second alone next week to have any chance of making the FedEx Cup playoffs. His 73 on Saturday at Whistling Straits was his seventh consecutive round over par at a major, the longest streak of his career.
Thumbnail photo via Thomas J. Russo/USA TODAY Sports Images
