JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Beau Hossler did his part on another low-scoring day at the Sanderson Farms Championship, missing just one Friday green for an 8-under 64 to take a one-shot lead on the week as he chases his first PGA Tour win.
Hausler started his round with a three-putt bogey from about 30 feet, and felt like he made almost everything after that, including a 30-foot eagle putt on the par-5 fifth hole.
Daniel Berger, who has been out of golf for 18 months with a back injury, had another round of seven birdies and no bogeys for a 65 that was one shot behind.
The second group on the back included Keith Mitchell (64), Jacob Bridgman (66) and David Skeens of England, who opened with a record 60 and had to rally for three birdies on the back nine just to break a tie with a 71.
Hosler was 15-under and 129 at the quiet, languid Jackson Country Club. The cut was at 6-under 138.
“If you go out and try to shoot 8 or 9 under par, it’s not going to happen,” Hausler said. “You’ve got to try to take it one at a time, try to separate the par 5s as best you can, and get past the drivable hole. And here you are already starting 3-, 4-, 5- under par.”
He almost followed that scenario, except for missing a 12-foot birdie on the par-5 13th. But he played the par 5 at 4 under for eagle, and made short work of the short par 4 15th.
“That’s my goal on the easy golf course, is to break it down and simplify it,” Hausler said. “Hopefully I read the greens well and make some putts. That’s all you can do.”
Berger was No. 25 in the world when he left with a back problem after the 2022 US Open in Brooklyn. He was at No. 664 when he felt comfortable enough to return in January on The American Express. Only recently did he feel closer to normal.
“I think it’s kind of a process,” he said. “You work every day to get 1% better, then 1% better, and then you get to a point where you don’t have to think about it or worry about it, and that’s where I am.”
He said this is the first time he has felt well, which for him removes any doubts about his ability to follow through with the injection without worrying about the pain.
For most players, the FedEx Fall Cup is about finishing in the top 125 in November to earn a full ticket for 2025. Bridgman has taken a big step. This week he came in 123rd, and can now contemplate a much bigger prize.
The Skins lost a little ground, which is to be expected. He had three shots when he finished early Thursday afternoon. About 24 hours later, he was already five shots away from Hausler when he was in the second round.
Skins made a pair of bogeys and was sliding down the leaderboard until putting them together on the back nine to go into the weekend just two shots behind.
Former US Open champion Gary Woodland, who also had brain surgery just over a year ago, was not at the level he was in his opener and was very happy. He played without bogey and posted a 68, which left him in the group three shots behind at 12-under 132.
“I played very well yesterday. All three levels — driving, short game, hitting — they were all really good,” Woodland said. “Today wasn’t good and I stayed there. Very proud that I didn’t make it today and I failed.
“It just shows I’m doing a lot of things right, and I’m looking forward to a great weekend.”
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