Kevin Kisner and Hideki Matsuyama will look to take a step closer to a maiden major title on day three at the PGA Championship.
While talk leading into the final major of 2017 centered around the prospects of stars such as Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, it is Kisner who is quietly entering the conversation heading into Moving Day at Quail Hollow.
The 33-year-old, who grew up just two hours away in South Carolina says his familiarity with Quail Hollow is paying dividends. Through 36 holes, he has hit 83.33% of greens to sit tied atop the leaderboard on eight-under par.
Kisner has a hot putter too, to thank for his position having picked up 2.127 strokes on the field, in strokes gained putting after two rounds.
‘I’ve spent every Thanksgiving and Christmas in Charlotte from childhood to marriage. Been here a ton,’ Kisner said after his second round four-under 67.
‘I’ve got a lot of ties to Quail Hollow. My brother-in-law’s father is a founding member here. He’s still a member here.’
He also noted that knowing the Quail Hollow layout has made preparation for his 11th major start a lot easier and stress-free.
‘I feel like I have the game to compete in majors. This is probably the easiest one I’ve had to prep for because I know the golf course so well and I’ve been up here a lot. I feel real comfortable here.’
Matsuyama meanwhile is bidding to become the first Japanese male golfer to capture a major championship. The Japanese sensation is in red-hot form after shooting a final round 61 to romp to a five-shot win at the WGC Bridgestone inviational last week.
The 25-year-old has become known for his distinctive pause at the top of a swing that is one of the most reliable in world golf.
Sensational iron play helped Matsuyama reel off four consecutive birdies from the 12th hole en route to a bogey-free 64. His laser-like display with his approaches meant that all of his birdies were made from within 11′.
The Japanese star said a timely weather delay worked in his favour and aided his back-nine blitz of 31.
‘I was grateful for the rain delay because I was getting tired. I was able to lay down in the locker room and get some rest,’ he said.
‘I think what was making me tired was I wasn’t hitting my driver like I wanted to. I was hitting fairways but I wasn’t getting the crisp contact that I was hoping for with my driver.’
When asked what a win would mean for his life, Matsuyama found the enormity difficult to fathom.
‘I’m not really sure. That’s a difficult question, one that’s hard to think about, what effect that would have on my life, my family’s life,’ said Matsuyama
‘I’m not sure. I try to imagine, but we still have a lot of golf to play.’
Fowler too, has also proven that a maiden major title is not too far off having finished in the Top-5 in all of the majors of 2015. He is again enjoying a solid showing this season with eight Top-10s and a win at the Honda Classic.
The popular Californian is also more than comfortable on the North Carolina track, the site of his maiden PGA Tour win in 2012.
The comfortability factor has no doubt played a big role in Fowler firing rounds of 69 and 70 to sit five shots adrift of Kisner and Matsuyama.
Amid all of the terrific storylines shaping up, there was disappointment for Jordan Spieth. The 24-year-old was looking to become the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam this week after capturing the Open Championship last month.
Spieth’s tilt at history appears to be in tatters, however after rounds of 72 and 73 meant he made the weekend right on the cut-line.
Louis Oosthuizen is the best-placed South African in a three-way tie for fourth just three shots off the pace.
After a weather delay brought a premature end to play on Friday, thunderstorms are also expected for Saturday afternoon.
Photo: Golf Fever
Free Drop Media 