DETROIT — Tyler Duncan fired a 5-under-par 67 in Friday’s second round to move into a tie for 14th place in the midway point of the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Starting on the back nine, the 2008 Columbus North graduate birdied Nos. 10, 16 and 17 and bogeyed No. 18 for a 2-under 34 on his first nine at Detroit Golf Club. He then birdied Nos. 1, 6 and 8 to close with a 3-under 33 on the front.
Duncan had opened with a 70 on Tuesday and sits at 7-under 137 through 36 holes. He is only three shots back of the lead heading into the weekend.
Joaquin and Tom Lewis, both of which shot 69 on Friday, share the lead at 10-under 134. Three golfers — Troy Merritt, Chris Kirk and Max Homa — are tied for third at 9-under 135.
Eight others are tied for sixth at 8-under 136. Then comes seven more at 7-under 137, including Duncan, who is looking for his best finish of the season.
PGA Championship winner Phil Mickelson just made the cut at 3-under 141, a day after he said he will not come back due to a report by The Detroit News that was published earlier in the week. The newspaper obtained federal court records from 2007, detailing how a Michigan-based bookie was accused of cheating Mickelson out of $500,000 about 20 years ago.
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau missed the cut at 1-under 143 after parting ways with caddie Tim Tucker the day before the tournament began.
Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama withdrew Friday after testing positive for COVID-19. The PGA Tour does not test fully vaccinated players.
