ATLANTA (AP) — Ryan Gerard hit it well enough for five relatively easy birdies Friday and dropped a surprise from just inside 80 feet for another, giving him a 5-under 65 and a share of the 36-hole lead with Viktor Hovland at the season-ending Tour Championship.Hovland had one of five birdies on the peninsula-green 15th hole, a par 3 at only 155 yards but tucked to the left near a sharp slope that feeds off the putting surface. He had a 66 to join Gerard at 10-under 130 going into the weekend.Right behind? Just about everybody. That includes Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player who had a 67 and was two back. And it included Cameron Young, in last place after the first round and atop the leaderboard for much of the day after a 62. He also wound up two behind.Collin Morikawa and Chris Gotterup each shot 67 and were one behind at 9-under 131.
Gerard has more on his mind than the $10 million prize and the five-year exemption on the PGA Tour. The captain’s picks for the Presidents Cup will be announced after the Tour Championship, and it’s on the mind of the 27-year-old from North Carolina.“It’s hard not to think about it a little bit,” Gerard said. “I’m very aware that a good week this week goes a long way to help my chances. I’m playing this week for myself and to try and put up some good scores and hopefully win a trophy at the end of the week.”
