Hero World Challenge: Scottie Scheffler takes two steps ahead with Justin Thomas and Akshay Bhatia in pursuit | Golf news

Scottie Scheffler produced a tee-to-green masterclass to move to the top of the leaderboard halfway through the Hero World Challenge hosted by Tiger Woods in the Bahamas.

The world number 1 made eight birdies in a brilliant bogey-free 64 at Albany Golf Resort, including six in the first seven holes, to move to 13 under and into first position to claim a ninth world victory of the year.

Scheffler enters the weekend two shots ahead of Akshay Bhatia and Justin Thomas, who shot rounds of 66 and 67 respectively, with Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley four shots behind in fourth place.

A successful title defense would cap off a special 2024 for Scheffler, who has already won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players, Masters, RBC Heritage, Memorial Tournament, Travelers Championship, Olympic gold and Tour Championship this campaign.

Scheffler, the star man again

Scheffler launched his approach from close at the par four first and added a 10-foot birdie at the next par three, with the Masters champion taking advantage of the par-five third and breaking through from 15 feet at the fourth to continue his birdie. streak.

The race temporarily ended with a two-putt par at the fifth, but he made amends with back-to-back birdies at the sixth, with Scheffler converting another from eight feet at the par-five ninth to reach the turn in 29.

Scheffler failed to take advantage of the two par fives on the back nine, but allowed himself a birdie at the par four 14th, although he missed a five-foot chance to extend his lead at the final par four.

“I did a lot of good things,” Scheffler said. “The first nine were really nice, obviously, and then the last nine, I felt like I did some good things too. Maybe some things didn't go my way, but still below average on the backs, so overall it was a very solid day.”

Bhatia made four birdies in a six-hole stretch starting at the seventh and overturned a bogey at the par-three eighth by making back-to-back gains starting at the 11th, with the American adding another birdie at the 15th and holed out from 10 feet . save par at the last to stay at 11 under.

He is joined in a tie for second with Bhatia, who mixed six birdies with just one bogey on Friday, while Bradley carded a string of three consecutive birdies during a bogey-free 67 to move to nine under.

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Sepp Straka shares fifth place with Sungjae Im and Ludvig Åberg, while Scotland's Robert MacIntyre is in the group tied for tenth and eight shots behind after a 71 in the second round.

Today's leader, Cameron Young, is also five under, having made six bogeys and a double-bogey in an eventful three-peat 75, 11 shots worse than he signed for on opening day.

Who will win the Hero World Challenge? Watch the whole weekend live on Sky Sports! Live coverage continues on Saturday from 5pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with NOW.