2022 Zozo Championship leaderboard, scores: Rickie Fowler shares the lead with Andrew Putnam at halfway point

The five-time champ looks prepared to enter the victor's circle interestingly beginning around 2019

With the short-term pioneer heading off course in the second round of the 2022 Zozo Title, the entryway was opened up for various contenders to put their case on this title. Andrew Putnam was the one who walked through first as the 33-year-old was essentially splendid around Accordia Golf Narashino Nation Club on Friday.

Getting paperwork done for an 8-under 62, Putnam got not just another course record - - which was subsequently outclassed by John Huh's 61 - - yet additionally a portion of the 36-opening lead at 10 under. Starting the day with two straight birdies, he included birdies the standard 3-fifth and standard 4-eighths to turn in 4-under 30. Four extra birdies on his internal half were all he expected to guarantee the new low score around Accordia Golf Narashino Nation Club, however, it was almost one less as he encountered a ruthless lip-out for hawk on his last opening of the day.

One more regrettable than Putnam on the day was fan-most loved Rickie Fowler who checked a 7-under 63 to share the lead at the midpoint. Falling off a brief time frame at the Shriners Kids' Open, the five-time PGA Visit victor is still plainly managing swing changes, however, Friday denoted his most memorable intruder-free exertion of the youthful season.

A major positive development, Fowler should keep on playing as such if he is to surpass Putnam and battle off Keegan Bradley, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland - - every one of whom is at present inside the main 10.

The pioneers

T1. Andrew Putnam, Rickie Fowler (- 10)

The inquiry heading into the end of the week is whether Fowler can keep on driving the golf ball how he presently is. Losing almost four strokes off-the-tee at TPC Summerlin seven days prior, the 33-year-old battled with a two-way miss and was left scrambling a bigger number of times than not in the desert.

It has been something else altogether through 36 openings as he positions twelfth in driving exactness having associated on almost 66% of the fairways. With a need of playing approach shots from the short grass, Fowler comprehends the significance the enormous stick holds pushing ahead.

"I want to drive it well around this spot, which like I said, I've dealt with my way with what I've had the initial two days, yet anticipating a smidgen of work and fix that up," Fowler said. "Definitely, simply keep on having a good time on this green, and ideally I'm playing from the fairway."

Different competitors

• 3. Keegan Bradley (- 9)
• 4. John Huh (- 8)
• 5. Keita Nakajima (- 7)
• T6. Matthew NeSmith, Sam Ryder (- 6)
• T8. Adam Schenk, Collin Morikawa, Joel Dahmen, Viktor Hovland, Luke Rundown (- 5)

It was a great quick return for Morikawa in the second round as he finished the paperwork for a 6-under 64 to sling his name into conflict. Before the week, he referenced the impacts of streaming slack having just been in Japan for 30 hours before the beginning of the competition and admittingly looked drowsy in the primary round.

He currently gives off an impression of being back to his ordinary self and having encountered a winless 2021-22 mission, he will savor the valuable chance to ease up into the champ's circle. The world No. 9 positions second in driving precision and fifth in greens in guideline through the initial two rounds and it is difficult to envision his dependable ball-striking going anyplace throughout the end of the week.

2022 Zozo Title refreshed chances and picks

• Keegan Bradley: 18/5
• Rickie Fowler: 4-1
• Andrew Putnam: 5-1
• Collin Morikawa: 14-1
• Viktor Hovland: 16-1
• Xander Schauffele: 18-1
• John Huh: 20-1
• Matthew NeSmith: 25-1
• Keita Nakajima: 40-1
• Cameron Youthful: 45-1
• Sam Ryder: 45-1

In a perfect world, the ball will be made light of in the final part of this competition as Accordia Golf Narashino Nation Club keeps on drying out from past downpours. This puts an additional significance on ball striking as around-the-green play will end up being more troublesome and greens will solidify.

Considering this, Morikawa appears to be legit at 14-1 which is generally equivalent to his pre-competition cost. As referenced, he is driving it wonderfully and his iron play seems to be top Morikawa which makes him ultra-risky as a chaser. The double cross significant hero remains close by an expected remote chance choice in Luke Rundown at 5 under who has a comparative range of abilities and is recorded at 55-1 just a tad more squeeze for your press.