Matthew NeSmith shoots 64, moves atop leaderboard

NeSmith has made a big move up the FedEx Cup points list, vaulting 51 spots Friday to No. 81. There’s still work to do to get into the top 70 but his two rounds this week is certainly helping. He’s keeping things in perspective after his second-round 64 that got him to 10 under.

“I think playing good golf takes care of everything. If you play good, the FedExCup and everything will work out on its own,” he said Friday after his morning-wave round was complete. “Just try and keep the right mindset going into the weekend and play one shot at a time. We’re halfway through a golf tournament, we’re still a long way away from Sunday afternoon, so just keep doing what you’re doing and try to hit the first tee shot tomorrow pretty well and go from there.”

NeSmith, 30, is playing in his 139th PGA Tour event. He’s seeking his first win, although he does have two runner-up finishes, including two weeks ago when he was part of a five-way playoff.

“That was I would say the closest I’ve been to winning a golf tournament since I’ve been here. It was just nice to be back in the thick of it and it was nice to show myself that I could do it again. It’s been a long time, since the Korn Ferry in 2019 in Boise, Idaho. It was nice to be in contention and have a chance to win a golf tournament,” he said.

NeSmith’s Friday scorecard featured a pair of birdies to start his round, another birdie at No. 6 and then an eagle on the par-5 12th, where he stuffed his 269-yard second shot to 14 feet before making the eagle putt. So far this week, he has nine birdies and just one bogey.