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Sebastian Munoz holds second-round lead at The Greenbrier Classic
Jared C. Tilton
Following up a career-low round with another low one is no easy task for any PGA Tour pro, let alone one as inexperienced as Sebastian Munoz. But that's exactly what the young Colombian did on Friday at The Greenbrier Classic, posting a three-under 67 to get him to 12-under 128 for the tournament. He takes a three-stroke lead into the weekend in just his 12th career start on the PGA Tour.
Once again, Munoz got off to a blistering start at the Old White TPC in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., making birdie on four of his first seven holes. The putter was key, rolling in three putts from more than 20 feet, including a 29-footer on the par-5 12th, his third hole of the day. It's been one of the better parts of his game in his rookie season. He ranks 28th on tour in strokes gained/putting.
It's the second time this season Munoz has held at least a share of the 36-hole lead, the other coming at last month's FedEx St. Jude Classic, where he struggled on the weekend. He has had winning experience before though, capturing his lone victory on the Web.com Tour at the 2016 Club Colombia Championship.
Tied at nine-under 131 and just three back are Hudson Swafford and Ben Martin. Swafford, 29, carded a bogey-free four-under 66 that featured a birdie on the par-3 18th, where he stuck his tee shot to within six feet. He's looking for the second win of his career, and the second this season, the first coming in January at the CareerBuilder Challenge.
Martin, 29, shot a three-under 67 with five birdies and two bogeys. The former Clemson standout is beginning to find some form, making his last seven cuts with two top-25s, including a T-5 finish last week at the Quicken Loans National. Martin is also looking for his second win on the PGA Tour, the other coming at the 2015 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
Defending Greenbrier champion Danny Lee is still in the mix at eight-under 132. He could be a bit closer to Munoz's 12-under total, but a double-bogey 7 on the par-5 12th spoiled an otherwise clean card. Russell Henley is also at eight under thanks to one of the low rounds of the day, a six-under 64. He's the only player currently inside the top-12 who is already exempt for the Open Championship.
Davis Love III's second-round one-under 69 also has him just four behind the leader at eight under.