PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Emiliano Grillo made birdie on half of the holes Friday on his technique to an 8-under 63 that gave him a three-shot lead going into the weekend on the Mayakoba Golf Basic.

The second spherical was delayed by one hour by heavy rain within the morning, and it was not accomplished earlier than it was too darkish to proceed. Nobody was shut sufficient to catch Grillo, who was at 12-under 130. It is going to be solely the fifth time in 136 begins on the PGA Tour that he has a share of the lead after any spherical.

Tony Finau one-putted six consecutive holes in the course of his spherical, 4 of them par saves and none tap-ins, and posted a 66. He was at 9-under 133, together with Tom Hoge, who had a 67.

Justin Thomas, at No. Three the highest-ranked participant within the area, was zooming into rivalry with 5 birdies and an eagle by 12 holes. His momentum stalled, nonetheless, notably with bogeys on his final two holes. Thomas needed to accept a 67 and was 9 pictures behind.

However he is nonetheless taking part in, which will not be the case for Rickie Fowler and Brooks Koepka.

Fowler was in place for a simple birdie on the par-5 13th gap when he despatched a protracted iron effectively to the fitting into the bushes for a misplaced ball. That led to bogey, and he dropped one other shot on the 17th that led to a 1-over 72. The lower wouldn’t be made till Saturday, although Fowler regarded sure to overlook by one shot.

With no occasions left this 12 months, Fowler is prone to fall out of the highest 50 on the earth for the primary time since 2010, his first full 12 months on the PGA Tour. He nonetheless is just not eligible for the Masters subsequent April, although he would have three months at the beginning of subsequent 12 months to both win or get into the highest 50 by the top of March.

Koepka, coming off a pair of high 10s within the Houston Open and the Masters, had one other 71 and completed at even-par 142. He was in cheap form till three-putting from about Eight ft on the par-5 fifth gap for a bogey, his 14th of the spherical. He made birdie on the par-Three eighth, however will miss by one shot.

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Amongst these nonetheless on the course was former U.S. Beginner champion Andy Ogletree, who turned professional after ending low novice on the Masters. Ogletree was at 7 beneath with three holes remaining.

Grillo made 5 birdies on the entrance 9 to catch Finau and Hoge, who performed within the morning. After a bogey at No. 10, the Argentine hit his stride together with his nice iron play and ran off three straight birdies.

Because it started to get darkish, Grillo stuffed a wedge into about four ft on the 17th for his ninth birdie of the spherical, and he elected to complete the 18th after the horn sounded to cease play due to darkness.

Russell Knox, who had the 18-hole lead after a 65, shot a 69 and was alone in fourth at 8-under 134. The group one shot additional again included Kyle Stanley and Joel Dahmen, every with a 67, and Aaron Smart (68).

Finau has been among the many high 20 on the earth courting to August 2018, although his lone victory on the PGA Tour stays the Puerto Rico Open in 2016.

“I realized this recreation does not owe you something. You have obtained too earn all the pieces you’ve got, earn all of your wins,” Finau stated. “It has been a very long time coming I really feel like for (win) No. 2. Hopefully, it occurs right here in a few days.

Steve Stricker, the 53-year-old Ryder Cup captain, shot 70 and was at 3-under 139. It was the sixth time in 12 begins on the PGA Tour that he made the lower.

Carlos Ortiz, taking part in for the primary time because the Mexican earned his first PGA Tour title within the Houston Open final month, had a 68 and was six pictures behind.