Sam Burns overcame an early double bogey and used steady iron play and strong putting to take the Safeway Open lead Friday. Harry Higgs was right behind, cutting his deficit in half with his last swing.
Burns made nine birdies in a 7-under 65 to get to 15 under at at Silverado Resort, with Higgs two strokes back. Higgs closed with an albatross for a 62, the best round of the day in the PGA Tour’s season opener. Campbellsville native JB Holmes is tied for 34th at six under while Nashville’s Brandt Snedeker missed the cut.
Princeton’s Emma Talley had her second straight 76 Friday at the ANA Inspirational and missed the cut at eight over. Nelly Korda at 11 under leads the LPGA Tour event by two strokes.