Late birdie blitz earns Kuchar tie for early lead

DUBLIN, Ohio: Former champion Matt Kuchar continued his love affair with the Memorial tournament on Friday as he took advantage of calm conditions with a late birdie flurry to surge into a two-way tie for early lead in the second round.

Kuchar birdied four of his last six holes to shoot a sparkling six-under-par 66 at Muirfield Village, finishing level with fellow American Brendan Steele (67) at 12-under 132.

Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (66) and long-hitting American Gary Woodland (65) were at 11-under, while Australian world number one Jason Day followed his opening 66 with an erratic 71 to drop five strokes off the pace.

Kuchar, who won the 2013 Memorial tournament and has recorded four top-10s in his last five PGA Tour starts, was delighted to benefit from another benign day.

“I’ve been in some great form,” the 37-year-old told reporters after mixing seven birdies with a lone bogey. The last three weeks, all good solid finishes. Nice to keep it going,” he said.