Chez Reavie shot a superb nine-under-par second round to take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.
The 29-year-old American was clinical with his putting, needing just 21, as he improved to 14-under through 36 holes, two ahead of fellow countrymen Steve Marino and Steve Stricker.
Reavie said afterwards: “The putter's been great. That's been the key.
“I saved some poor shots and made good par shots and hit some good shots and made birdies. So it's always fun when you do that.”
Teeing off at the 10th Reavie made a fine start to his second round, making a birdie at his very first hole, and he reached the turn in 31 thanks to back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th as well as the 17th and 18th. An eagle at the par-five second followed by two more birdies saw his climb up the leaderboard continue before he slipped up with a bogey at the par-four fifth. Reavie rebounded immediately with successive birdies at the par-four sixth and par-three seventh before a last-hole bogey prevented him from reaching the halfway point with a three-shot advantage.
Stricker kept himself within touching distance with a fine bogey-free 64, consisting of five birdies and an eagle, to improve to 12-under alongside Marino who shot a five-under-par 66.
Overnight leader Kris Blanks slipped down the leaderboard after following his eight-under-par opening round with an even-par 71, while Louis Oothuizen’s final warm-up before his Open Championship defence saw him miss the cut following a second-round 68.
