Washington (AFP) – South African Garrick Higgo conjured eight birdies in a six-under par 66 to seize the solo lead after Friday’s second round at the US PGA Tour Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. Higgo, part of a four-way tie for the lead after the first round, mixed four birdies and two bogeys on the front nine at the Country Club of Jackson, then picked up four birdies coming in to build a 13-under par total of 131.
He was one stroke in front of overnight co-leader Eric Cole, who carded a five-under 67 and was joined on 132 by fellow American Taylor Montgomery, who posted an impressive 63. Danny Walker, another of the first-round co-leaders, posted a four-under 68 for 133.
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Higgo is chasing a second title of the season, but it’s been a mixed bag since his victory in the Corales Puntacana Championship in April. He hadn’t posted another top 25 finish until last month’s Procore Championship, where he was inspired playing alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler.
“I learned so much just by watching,” Higgo said. “He’s an inspiration for all of us. He’s set the bar so high. It’s just phenomenal how high his skill level is. Obviously, he’s got a great mind too, but it’s just amazing how good he hits the golf ball.”
The event is the second of the US tour’s Fall Series, largely featuring players jockeying to secure their status for next season. The top 100 in the standings will secure full status in 2026, and the top 50 will be eligible for elite signature events.
South Korean Tom Kim, 99th in the standings, moved into contention with a six-under par 66 that put him in a tie for fifth on 134. Kim burst onto the US PGA Tour scene with a victory in his third tour event in 2022 and won again three months later to become the first player since Tiger Woods to win twice on tour before turning 21. He struggled to put it together this season, but said the fall events are a chance to build confidence and momentum.
“I’ve just fundamentally gotten a lot better,” Kim said. “I think mentally I’ve gotten a lot better, a lot clearer of what I need to do, how I need to do it, which I think is really big.”
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