Many of the very best ball strikers on the earth made their strategy to Mayakoba this week for the 2022 World Wide Technology Championship. At the midway level, it isn’t world No. 2 Scottie Scheffler, two-time defending champion Viktor Hovland, or two-time main champion Collin Morikawa main the best way; somewhat, it is 33-year-old Russell Henley.
The former Georgia Bulldog may have lots on his thoughts over the approaching days along with his alma mater taking up the Tennessee Volunteers on the gridiron Saturday, and with him going for his first victory on the PGA Tour since 2017. Standing at 16 below — a 36-hole scoring record at this occasion — and three strokes away from Sam Ryder and Will Gordon, Henley will try and do what what he has not been capable of over the past 5 years — shut out a golf match.
Henley has been near capturing his fourth PGA Tour title on quite a lot of events, however has fallen quick at every flip. Just final yr, he collapsed down the stretch at the 2021 Wyndham Championship. Months later, he was caught by Hideki Matsuyama at the 2022 Sony Open, the place he in the end fell in a playoff.
With loads of golf but to be performed, Henley should battle not solely the competitors however his interior demons round El Camaleon Golf Club. With many unknown portions occupying the primary web page of the leaderboard, simply barely additional behind, a few the pre-tournament favorites could also be licking their chops as each Hovland and Morikawa stand at 8 below and eight strokes adrift.
The chief
1. Russell Henley (-16)
Russ is cooking at the second, however that isn’t to say we now have not seen this film earlier than. A prolific quick starter, it has been the ultimate 36 holes which has tripped up Henley ever since his final victory at the 2017 Houston Open. His correct driving and exact iron play is prone to persist, however keep watch over the putter because it has usually been the issue baby of his when making an attempt to shut out tournaments.
“I felt great the last two days,” stated Henley. “Mentally felt confident and believing in what I was doing. Hit a lot of fairways and had some nice par saves today that kept my round going. Obviously very happy with where I am.”
Other contenders
T2. Sam Ryder, Will Gordon (-13)
4. Patton Kizzire (-12)
5. David Lingmerth (-11)
T6. Brian Harman, Martin Laird, Harry Higgs (-10)
T9. Maverick McNealy, Greyson Sigg, Matt Kuchar, Scott Piercy, Patrick Rodgers (-9)
Playing on a sponsor’s exemption this week, Higgs is taking full benefit of his alternative down in Mexico. His second spherical of 9-under 62 was extraordinarily well timed as the previous SMU Mustang entered the week having missed 16 of 20 cuts together with his first three of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season. Losing his PGA Tour card final season and lacking all three cuts within the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, high quality performances have been onerous to return by.
“I mean, all over the place,” Higgs stated of his present frame of mind. “Like I have had a lot of poor days and a lot of consecutive poor days, and then I’ve also had not as many as I would like, but I’ve had some days that were great where I had full control, I was making good decisions, I was kind of, as we all say, getting out of my own way.”
Harman’s ace propels him into rivalry
Back-to-back rounds of 5-under 66 have Brian Harman within the thick of it at Mayakoba for the primary time in his profession. Playing at El Camaleon for the tenth time in his profession, the 35-year-old had beforehand achieved no higher than a T30 end. Kickstarting his day with a hole-in-one on the par-3 4th, Harman may have a reminiscence no matter if this way continues over the weekend.
“You know, this place kind of had my number over the years, haven’t really done very good here and today was kind of one of those days, just kind of chopping around, wasn’t doing that great,” stated Harman. “Just settled down, made a couple really good swings, started with that one into the wind, just hooded a 50 [degree wedge] and slung it back in there.”
2022 Mayakoba up to date odds, picks
Odds through Caesars Sportsbook
- Russell Henley: 11/10
- Will Gordon: 9-1
- Sam Ryder: 11-1
- Brian Harman: 18-1
- Viktor Hovland: 20-1
- Patton Kizzire: 22-1
- Collin Morikawa: 28-1
- Maverick McNealy: 30-1
- Matt Kuchar: 35-1
- David Lingmerth: 35-1
- Martin Laird: 45-1
After opening with an even-par 71, Morikawa shot inside the highest 20 with an 8-under 64 on Friday. Coming into the week along with his iron play in type, he has carried this method play and paired it with a number of good putts in his second spherical. There are quite a few query marks at the highest of this leaderboard and that ought to give strategy to a weekend cost from a participant comparable to Morikawa, who will give himself loads of birdie seems over the subsequent couple days. It will take a momentous effort being eight strokes off the tempo, however at roughly double his pre-tournament worth may very well be worthy of an funding.
“Eight’s a lot, but eight’s still doable come this weekend,” stated Morikawa of the deficit. “This golf course, the way it’s playing, you can post two really good low ones on the weekend. I’m definitely going to need that if I’m going to be in contention, but after today I’m feeling pretty good.”