Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood from England both surged to the top of the Travelers Championship leaderboard alongside Scottie Scheffler on Friday in Cromwell, Connecticut. Thomas sank five consecutive birdies, while Fleetwood nailed two eagles on the back nine at TPC River Highlands to climb the leaderboard. Thomas carded an impressive 6-under-par 64, tying for the lowest round of the day, while Fleetwood shot a 65 to reach 9-under 131 for the tournament.
Defending champion Scheffler, who shared the lead after an opening round of 62, struggled with a 69 on Friday that included a water ball and a double bogey on the 17th hole. The trio of Thomas, Fleetwood, and Scheffler led the pack by one stroke, with Australian Jason Day close behind at 8 under after shooting his second consecutive round of 66.
Austin Eckroat, who was tied with Scheffler after the first round, had a tough day with a 71, landing him tied for fifth with Denny McCarthy, who carded a 64. Thomas started slow but caught fire with a streak of birdies, including long putts at the 14th and 15th holes.
Fleetwood’s eagles came at the 13th and 15th holes, with impressive shots including a chip-in from 90 feet at the 15th. The players had to contend with challenging wind conditions, forcing them to adjust their shots accordingly.
As the tournament continued, players like Rory McIlroy and Keegan Bradley battled the elements, while others struggled to find their rhythm. With no 36-hole cut, the competition remained fierce as the weekend approached.
