Mitchell, Bridgeman share Baycurrent lead
YOKOHAMA, Japan — Keith Mitchell fired a six-under-par 65 to join first-round leader Jacob Bridgeman at the top of the leaderboard after two rounds of the Baycurrent Classic at Yokohama Country Club on Friday.
Both Americans stood at 11-under 131, two shots ahead of a four-player group that included Australian Min Woo Lee, who carded a gritty four-under 67 to stay in contention at eight-under 134.
Bridgeman followed his opening 63 with a three-under 68, while Mitchell surged into a share of the lead with six birdies in a round that benefited from the enthusiastic Japanese gallery.
“I love it over here. It’s always on my schedule,” Mitchell said. “I love Japan. I think just the energy here just helps me play a little bit better for some reason.”
Lee, meanwhile, battled through an inconsistent round featuring six birdies and two bogeys to remain within striking distance of his second PGA Tour victory.
“It was pretty scrappy but on the scoreable holes I did really well,” Lee said. “I’m pretty happy with the way it went. It was gritty, which was good.”
Ben Kohles carded the day’s lowest round, a nine-under 62, to join Mac Meissner (68), Max Homa (68) and Zach Bauchou (64) at nine-under 133.
Bridgeman admitted he had to work harder than he did in the opening round but was pleased with how he managed the course.
“I didn’t quite have the same game I had yesterday today, so it was a little bit more difficult to make as many birdies,” he said. “But I realized that early and was able to play kind of conservative and plot my way around the course.”
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama struggled to a one-over 72 and stood at three-under, eight shots off the pace. Defending champion Xander Schauffele also sat at three-under after a two-under 69.
Collin Morikawa endured a costly finish, making five bogeys over his final six holes to slip to two-under, while Jordan Spieth was at four-under heading into the weekend.
The PGA Tour’s only Asian stop features its strongest field of the FedExCup Fall, with 13 players who competed in the Presidents Cup at Medinah two weeks ago.
Lee, who was part of the International team that lost to the United States after a dramatic comeback, said the experience had provided valuable lessons despite the disappointing result.
“There were some times when I didn’t feel like I contributed enough, but I also felt like I hit some really good shots and holed some good putts,” he said.