Blixt-Smith lead Zurich Classic as top teams miss cut

LOS ANGELES, California: The team of Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith fired two eagles and six birdies en route to a 62 in the better ball second round of the Zurich Classic on Friday, taking a one-shot lead in the US PGA Tour event.

“I think just having a backup, playing a little more aggressively,” Australia’s Smith said of the key to their success at TPC Louisiana in New Orleans, which left them on 15-under 129.

“And Jonas is putting really good, chipping really good,” Smith added of his Swedish partner, “so you always know he’s going to get up and down for par, so just shooting the pins and it all came off today.”

Americans Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay also carded a 62 and were one back on 130.

Some of the biggest names in the tournament, however, won’t be around for the weekend.

Australian Jason Day and US teammate Rickie Fowler missed the cut, as did England’s Justin Rose and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who teamed up after taking gold and silver at the Rio Olympics last year.

The Korean duo of KJ Choi and Charlie Wi carded a second-round 64 to share third place on 131 with Americans Troy Merri and Robert Streb, who carded one of the morning’s five 10-under rounds of 62.

Former world number one Jordan Spieth and fellow Texan Ryan Palmer posted their second straight 66 to join a group three off the pace on 132.