Steven Bowditch fired a four-under-par round to be one shot off the lead at the halfway point of the US PGA Tour's John Deere Classic.
Americans Zach Johnson and William McGirt share the lead at 12-under, holding off Bowditch, Johnson Wagner and Brian Harman by a stroke.
Australian Bowditch opened his round with an eagle three on the 10th hole en route to his 67, while Wagner made it to 12-under before a bogey on his last hole.
Bowditch was thrilled with his start but admits he lost his way at times.
"I started to drive it a little bit wild there for a while. I still had a lot of chances coming down ... I made a couple and missed a couple, but I'm happy with it," Bowditch told the PGA Tour website.
Three-time Deere winner Steve Stricker shot a six-under round on Friday to vault into contention at the par-71 TPC Deere Run, and was tied for sixth with Rory Sabbatini, Ryan Moore and Todd Hamilton.
"At least I kept pace," Stricker said.
"This was an important day for me. I didn't go out with a specific number in mind, but I knew I needed something good."
Johnson, the Deere winner in 2012, shot a four-under 67 in the afternoon despite two bogeys in his last four holes.
McGirt, 35, is looking for his first PGA Tour victory.
He added a 66 to his opening 64, but like Johnson, he finished with a bogey.
"For some reason I'm able to see the line this week," McGirt said.
"I feel I've putted better the last few weeks and haven't holed anything."
Share
