PGA Tour rookie Austin Cook sank a 6-foot birdie putt on his final hole for an 8-under 62 and a one-shot lead going into the weekend at the RSM Classic PGA event.
Three of the four Australians contesting the event in Georgia missed the cut, with only Cameron Percy, who shot 69 on Thursday and Friday to be tied for 50th, carrying on into the weekend.
Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers and Stuart Appleby's tournaments are over after second rounds of 72, 76 and 70, respectively.
Cook has gone 36 holes without making a bogey on the Plantation Course or the Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club. He played Seaside on Friday and ran off four successive birdies on his opening nine holes.
Cook was at 14-under 128 and had a one-stroke lead over Brian Gay, who shot 64 on Seaside. No one else was closer than five shots going into the final two rounds.
Brandt Snedeker is looking strong in his first start in some five months because of a sternum injury. Snedeker shot a 67 on the Plantation course and was six shots back.
