Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker and Benjamin Rogers Jr.
Irving, TX–
There is something about a playing taking a commanding lead in a PGA Tour event, but how about doing it in a way that has never been done before. That’s exactly what Jason Kokrak did today with his 8-under 62 round to take a 12 under to lead the tournament going into the weekend.
What makes this round so special? Well there have been plenty of firsts but nothing this strong since the inception. Kokrak is also looking for his first victory on tour. He has never shot this well in 454 previous rounds on tour.
This lead is something that certainly never been done at this tournament, which first hosted a TOUR event in 1944. Until Friday, the biggest 36-hole lead at the AT&T Byron Nelson was in 2000 when Davis Love III led by four shots.
“I just like being out here with the guys. I am not really sure why my game was so on today, but I did a lot of things right including saving that shot on 18,” said Kokrak. It is going to be a great weekend, but I know there are a lot of great guys just few strokes behind me.
When asked why Kokrak would like to take a victory out of this tournament, he said, yea, I would like to improve on my FEDEX Cup Standings a little bit.”
Kokrak’s closest completion are in Sergio Garcia and Jason Day, 10 strokes off the lead. These are guys that could give him a run for his money on Saturday and Sunday.
The lead by Kokrak is tied for the second biggest on tour after 36 holes so far this season. The other one at the Shell Open in Houston Saw Sung Kang play an amazing first two rounds, but his game self destructed over the weekend and he finished second to Russell Henley, when he failed to break a 70 over the weekend.
Other notables of the day included a poor outing by Dallas native and crowd favorite, Jordan Speith. He finished the day at 5 over and missed the cut for the weekend.
