Spaun

FORT WORTH, Texas — J.J. Spaun is thinking a little bit about his schedule and a lot about his putting while in contention at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial.

The reigning U.S. Open champion believes he’s getting both lined up just about right three weeks before he tries to defend his first major title.

Spaun surged with four birdies on his front nine before a couple of late bogeys in a 2-under 68 that put him at 8 under Friday, two shots behind Englishman Jordan Smith and one back of Hideki Matsuyama and three others after 36 holes at Colonial.

Smith took the lead by himself with a 31-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th, saved par from a bunker on 17 and missed a 9-footer for birdie on 18 to finish at 10 under with a second consecutive 65.

Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion with 10 other tour victories, and Michael Thorbjornsen had matching 65s. They were at 9 under with Ryan Gerard (67) and 2023 Britisn Open champion Brian Harman (66).

Spaun was joined by Akshay Bhatia (65), Russell Henley (66), Brice Garnett (66) and Alex Smalley (67).

A.J. Ewart had the second hole in two days at the 195-yard, par-3 16th — Brandt Snedeker aced it in the opening round — and followed an opening 70 with a career-best 63, the low round of the day. He was at 7 under with Michael Brennan (66) and Mackenzie Hughes (67).

Gary Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, was among 11 players at 6 under at Hogan’s Alley, where light wins and still-soft conditions led to 154 sub-par scores through two rounds. That tied the previous high of 154 sub-par rounds from when Zach Johnson set the 72-hole scoring record of 21-under 259.

LPGA Tour

GALLOWAY, N.J. — Israeli golfer Laetitia Beck has a career-low 63 and a one-shot lead in the ShopRite LPGA.

The big surprise was Nicole Broch Estrup of Denmark. This is her first tournament in 15 months because of maternity leave. Her son Max is about to turn 1 and with her this week.

Broch Estrup made all seven birdies in an eight-hole stretch. She says making so many birdies after so much time away made her a little nervous. The 54-hole ShopRite is a week before the U.S. Women’s Open in Los Angeles. Charley Hull is the only top-10 player in the field.