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Memorial Tournament 2021: Patrick Cantlay Defeats Collin Morikawa in Playoff for Win

Jun 6, 2021
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 06: Patrick Cantlay chips to the 4th green during the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 6, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Condon/PGA TOUR)
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 06: Patrick Cantlay chips to the 4th green during the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 6, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Condon/PGA TOUR)

After a wild day of playoff basketball in the NBA, the PGA Tour decided to have a playoff of its own. 

Patrick Cantlay won the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio for the second time on Sunday in the first playoff hole, topping Collin Morikawa. Both players shot 13 under for the tournament in regulation holes. 

Cantlay had a shot to wrap things up on the 18th, but his long birdie attempt rolled inches wide:

He quickly exorcised that demon with an excellent par putt from a similar distance on the first playoff hole, however, putting the onus on Morikawa to match with a par putt of his own. Morikawa just missed his effort, giving Cantlay the win.

Scottie Scheffler (-11), Branden Grace (-10) and Patrick Reed (-8) rounded out the top five. 

Cantlay and Morikawa couldn't have been much more even on Sunday, each shooting 1-under par during regulation holes. Morikawa took the lead after a birdie on the 15th, only to watch Cantlay pull even with a clutch birdie of his own on the 17th.

It came down to one playoff putt, and Cantlay managed to sink it. 

He acknowledged that Sunday likely would have been far different if Jon Rahm—who was heading into the final round with a six-stroke lead before he was forced to withdraw from the tournament after being informed immediately after his third round that he had tested positive for COVID-19—would have been able to play. 

"Such a weird situation, and so unfortunate because everyone knows—me included—it would have been a totally different day had that not happened," Cantlay said on the CBS broadcast after the playoff. "But there's nothing I can do about it and I just tried as hard as I could to reset and really get focused."

The legendary Jack Nicklaus, host of the Memorial Tournament, said earlier on Sunday he felt awful for Rahm.

"Everybody here is devastated. It's a terrible thing to have happen," he told reporters. "Jon handled it very well. He's a big boy. He understands that we have rules. And unfortunately, those are not something that you really may like, but those are the rules that we have right now. ... We're sad for him, but the round will go on."

Obviously, there's no guarantee that Rahm would have defended his lead, though giving away six strokes on a day when the winner shot just one under would have been unlikely. 

Regardless, Cantlay isn't giving his win away. Given the circumstances, he earned it. 

The PGA Tour will continue next week with the Palmetto Championship at the Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina. 

Bryson DeChambeau: PGA Tour Needs to Handle Brooks Koepka Rewarding Fans for Heckling

Jun 6, 2021
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 04: Bryson DeChambeau walks off the seventh green during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 4, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 04: Bryson DeChambeau walks off the seventh green during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 4, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

The rivalry between Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka took another turn during the Memorial Tournament this weekend.

Koepka, who isn't playing in the tournament, announced Friday he was giving out free cases of Michelob Ultra after fans were cheering for him at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The four-time major champion alluded to a report of fans being removed from the gallery for shouting "Brooksy" toward DeChambeau. 

DeChambeau didn't find the situation as humorous.

"I think that's something that the tour needs to handle, it's something I can't control," he told reporters. "I tried to take the high road numerous times and I think that from my perspective, I'll continue to keep doing so and people are going to do what they want to do. So it is what it is."

His tone was slightly different compared to Friday, when he downplayed his personal irritation from the chants.

"Oh, they weren’t taunts at all, it was flattering," he said. "I think it’s absolutely flattering what they’re doing. They can keep calling me that all day if they want to, I’ve got no issue with it. Most people think it’s a distraction, but I grew up learning how to deal with that stuff and I honestly thought it was flattering."

It's very clear Koepka and DeChambeau don't care for one another.

In a leaked video that quickly went viral, Koepka was conducting an interview with Golf Channel's Todd Lewis when DeChambeau entered the frame while walking off the course. His mere presences appeared to be enough to frustrate Koepka.

That followed a number of subtle and direct shots exchanged between the two stars.

In April, the PGA Tour started the Player Impact Program to pool more money toward the sport's marquee names. The criteria expand beyond just performance and includes factors tied to their popularity off the course.

DeChambeau joked Saturday that Koepka could indirectly help him collect some more cash.

"If he keeps talking about me, that's great for the PIP fund," he said.

The 2020 U.S. Open champion is teaming up with Aaron Rodgers for Capital One's The Match on July 6 at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana. If the tandem of Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady want to get under his skin on the course, then the strategy seems pretty straightforward.

Memorial Tournament 2021: Morikawa, Cantlay Lead After Rahm Withdraws Due to COVID-19

Jun 5, 2021
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 05: Jon Rahm of Spain reacts to his putt on the second green during the third round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 05, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 05: Jon Rahm of Spain reacts to his putt on the second green during the third round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 05, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

In a matter of moments, Jon Rahm's fate in the 2021 Memorial Tournament changed dramatically.

Rahm went eight under in the third round Saturday to improve to 18 under at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.

The 26-year-old Spaniard was six shots ahead of Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa and tied the scoring record for the tournament through 54 holes. However, the PGA Tour announced he tested positive for COVID-19, which will require him to withdraw.

2021 Memorial Tournament Leaderboard

T1. Collin Morikawa (-12)

T1. Patrick Cantlay (-12)

T3. Branden Grace (-9)

T3. Scottie Scheffler (-9)

5. Max Homa (-6)

T6. Patrick Reed (-5)

T6. Si Woo Kim (-5)

T6. Lucas Herbert (-5)

T6. Carlos Ortiz (-5)

Full leaderboard available at PGATour.com

Rahm's best shot of the day came in the second round, part of which was pushed to Saturday morning because of weather delays earlier in the Memorial. His tee shot on No. 16 landed just short of the flagstick and bounced its way into the bottom of the cup for an ace.

Rahm had a solid start to his third round and really found his groove on the back nine. A bogey on No. 9 dropped him to two under as he made the turn. Following a par on No. 10, he reeled off six birdies over the next seven holes.

This 275-yard approach on the par-five 11th hole served as the start of his hot streak.

The same story played out on his next par five. He got onto the green in two thanks to a thunderous approach.

Rahm's tee shot on No. 16 came to a stop at the front edge of the green, leaving him with a difficult birdie putt. It proved to be no problem as he found the target from 37 feet out.

Iron play was one of the biggest reasons he held a massive lead on the rest of the field. According to PGATour.com, he had gained 5.003 strokes from his approach to the green and 6.891 strokes from tee to green.

Anything other than a Rahm victory Sunday evening would have been a surprise if he hadn't withdrawn.

Between winning last year and putting himself in pole position for the 2021 title, Rahm seemed to have cracked the code at Muirfield.

Morikawa's even-par 72 in the second round initially was proving to be costly. He matched his six-under 66 from the opening round Saturday yet remained some distance behind Rahm with 18 holes to play.

Likewise, Cantlay saw a one-shot deficit on Rahm through two rounds widen significantly as the day unfolded. He seemed to be well-positioned at three under as he moved onto the back nine. But he only managed one birdie on No. 11 before a bogey on No. 16 knocked him back to 11 under.

With the news of Rahm's withdrawal, Cantlay's birdie putt on 18 could be very important since he now has a share of the lead with Morikawa.

With the delays, making it to Saturday didn't necessarily mean you made the cut. Two over proved to be the cutline, and Sungjae Im, Keegan Bradley, Gary Woodland and Padraig Harrington were among those who failed to go beyond 36 holes.

Jon Rahm Withdraws from Memorial Tournament After Testing Positive for COVID-19

Jun 5, 2021
Jon Rahm watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during the third round of the Memorial golf tournament, Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Jon Rahm watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during the third round of the Memorial golf tournament, Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Jon Rahm had to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament during the third round when he held a six-stroke lead. 

The PGA Tour issued a statement announcing that Rahm tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday:

Rahm was at -18 through three rounds, six shots ahead of Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay for the lead with 18 holes remaining. 

The PGA statement noted that Rahm has been in contact-tracing protocols since Monday due to having close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. 

After previously testing negative each day, Rahm's test taken on Saturday returned positive. The PGA Tour's medical staff confirmed the positive test this evening, after he had already finished his third round. 

The defending champion at this event, Rahm was looking to become the first player since Tiger Woods (1999-2001) to win the Memorial Tournament in consecutive years. The 26-year-old was also looking for his first victory of the 2021 season. 

Morikawa and Cantlay moved into a tie for the lead at 12-under par as a result of Rahm withdrawing. 

Memorial Tournament 2021: Patrick Cantlay Surges into 1st with 2nd-Round 67

Jun 5, 2021
Patrick Cantlay reacts to a missed putt on the ninth green during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament, Friday, June 4, 2021, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Patrick Cantlay reacts to a missed putt on the ninth green during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament, Friday, June 4, 2021, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Patrick Cantlay may be halfway to a victory at the 2021 Memorial Tournament.

He is tied for the lead with Jon Rahm at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, after shooting a five-under 67 in Friday's second round. 

Cantlay and Rahm are tied after a day when a large portion of the field had to finish the first round before starting the second thanks to rainy conditions cutting play short on Thursday.

Some, including Rahm, did not even finish their second round since everything was pushed back from the initial delays. The second round will resume Saturday morning at 8 a.m. ET.

The full leaderboard can be found at PGATour.com.

T1. Patrick Cantlay, -8

T1.  Jon Rahm, -8 through 13

3. Scottie Scheffler, -6

T4. Carlos Ortiz, -5

T4. Max Homa, -5 through 14

T4. Xander Schauffele, -5 through 12

T4. Rickie Fowler, -5 through 11

Cantlay played with Jordan Spieth and Bryson DeChambeau on Friday, but he was the biggest star on the course in the early portion of the day.

The 29-year-old played 33 holes following a 4:30 a.m. ET wake-up call after his opening round was almost entirely rained out. He set the groundwork with an impressive three-under 69 in that first round and then caught fire to finish his second round with three straight birdies to jump to the solo lead at eight-under.

"We're out there for such a long time today that you can fall asleep at the wheel a little bit," he told reporters. "And, so, being cognizant of that and checking in with yourself, 'are you as focused as you can be when you need to be,' is key."

He also called it a "pleasant surprise to birdie the last three" given how tired he was at that point of his round.

That birdie streak put him atop the leaderboard before the late tee times, but Rahm, who is the defending Memorial Tournament champion, tied him and may ultimately pass him by the end of his second round on Saturday.

Rahm followed his three-under 69 in the opening round with six birdies and one bogey through 13 holes in the second round. If he continues to play like he did while notching birdies on four straight holes on Nos. 4-7, it will be difficult for Cantlay to hold him off.

Rahm is part of a loaded field that features a number of notable names and 10 of the top 11 golfers in the FedEx Cup standings. Spieth (-1), Rory McIlroy (E), DeChambeau (-1), Hideki Matsuyama (-4 through 14), Justin Thomas (-2) and Viktor Hovland (-2) were among those positioned to make the cut.

Rickie Fowler (-5 through 11) and Xander Schauffele (-5 through 12) also look capable of challenging for a title.

Nobody was more impressive than Collin Morikawa in the first round, who held a solo lead with a six-under 66. That put him under the spotlight on Friday, and he seemed to be well on his way to taking the lead back from Cantlay when he birdied the 10th hole to pull within a stroke at seven-under.

And then the 12th hole happened.

His tee shot on the par-three hole went into the water, and he ended up with a triple bogey and fell down the leaderboard. He is still in solid position at four-under through 12 in the second round, but it will take a strong effort to overcome that triple-bogey.

Memorial Tournament 2021: Collin Morikawa Holds Lead After Rain-Soaked Round 1

Jun 3, 2021
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 03: Collin Morikawa of the United States putts on the 13th green during the first round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 03, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 03: Collin Morikawa of the United States putts on the 13th green during the first round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 03, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Collin Morikawa holds a narrow lead over a loaded field after Thursday's action at the Memorial Tournament.

Multiple rain delays prevented everyone from completing the first round with some players not even completing one hole. Play was eventually suspended and will restart at 7:30 a.m. Friday, per Rex Hoggard of Golf Channel.

Morikawa finished his 18 holes and put himself in good position with a 66 that featured seven birdies. Adam Long sits one stroke back at five strokes under par, and Xander Schauffele is in a quartet at four under.

There will still likely be a lot of movement over the next three days at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The tournament features 10 of the top 11 players in the current FedEx Cup standings, including the top three of Bryson DeChambeau, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

Things should remain competitive in this high-profile PGA Tour event.

Round 1 Leaderboard

1. Collin Morikawa (-6)

2. Adam Long (-5)

T3. Bo Hoag (-4)

T3. Nick Taylor (-4)

T3. Xander Schauffele (-4)

T3. Rafa Cabrera Bello (-4)

T7. Justin Thomas (-3)

T7. Jon Rahm (-3)

T7. Rickie Fowler (-3)

T7. Christiaan Bezuidenhout (-3)

T7. Brendan Steele (-3)

T7. Max Homa (-3)

T7. Shane Lowry (-3)

Full results and stats available at PGATour.com.

Round 1 Leaderboard

1. Collin Morikawa (-6)

2. Adam Long (-5)

T3. Bo Hoag (-4)

T3. Nick Taylor (-4)

T3. Xander Schauffele (-4)

T3. Rafa Cabrera Bello (-4)

T7. Justin Thomas (-3)

T7. Jon Rahm (-3)

T7. Rickie Fowler (-3)

T7. Christiaan Bezuidenhout (-3)

T7. Brendan Steele (-3)

T7. Max Homa (-3)

T7. Shane Lowry (-3)

Full results and stats available at PGATour.com.

Collin Morikawa set the tone early with his round that featured three birdies in his first six holes starting on the back nine:

He also had a run of three birdies in four holes on the front nine and was a bogey on 18 away from a near-perfect day. It was a much better showing than last year at this event.

Other players also found success, getting plenty of opportunities for birdies throughout the round.

Xander Schauffele hit 12 of 14 fairways off the tee and finished with a 68, although his inconsistent putting prevented him from being in the lead after Round 1.

The same could be said for Justin Thomas, who looked good in every other part of the game.

Thomas did enough to keep him in contention at three strokes under par but will have to clean things up in order to pull out a win.

Defending champion Jon Rahm also finished the round at minus-three despite some up-and-down play.

Rahm is yet to earn a win this season but has 10 top-10 finishes in 16 starts, making him a threat to finally break through if he plays to his ability.

The late session was mostly broken up by weather delays, but Bryson DeChambeau birdied two of his first three holes.

Jordan Spieth also played well when he got the chance and sits one stroke under par through three holes.

These players and others will try to find more success Friday for the end of Round 1 and start of Round 2.

Charles Schwab Challenge 2021: Jason Kokrak Edges Past Jordan Spieth for Win

May 30, 2021
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 30: Jason Kokrak hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club on May 30, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 30: Jason Kokrak hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club on May 30, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Jason Kokrak won his second event this season, claiming the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas on Sunday after Jordan Spieth's tough afternoon. 

Kokrak shot an even-par 70 in the final round to finish -14 for the tournament, two strokes ahead of Spieth, who led after the third round but shot a three-over 73 on Sunday. 

Charley Hoffman, Patton Kizzire, Sebastian Munoz and Ian Poulter rounded out the top five, all tied at 10 under. 

Kokrak was hardly spectacular on the day, finishing with five birdies and five bogeys. He averaged 319.6 yards of driving distance, had a 78.5 percent driving accuracy, hit 66.6 percent of greens in regulation and gained 0.967 strokes putting, per PGATour.com. 

But he was good enough to topple Spieth, who offset two birdies with five bogeys. Spieth went into the final hole just a stroke down, but his chances to catch Koprak were sunk when his approach rolled its way into the water. 

Kokrak came into the final round knowing that playing in a group with Spieth—one of the PGA Tour's most popular players and a Dallas native—would make him Sunday's antagonist for more than a few golf fans.

“He’s a Texas guy. I’m an Ohio guy. It’s fun," he told reporters after Saturday's third round. "The crowds are crazy. But it’s fun to have a local kid and play well and him be in the last group, and I’d be more than happy to spoil it for him tomorrow.”

Spoil it he did. 

The PGA Tour heads to the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio for the Memorial Tournament next week, starting on Thursday. 

Charles Schwab Challenge 2021: Jordan Spieth Holds 1-Stroke Lead Entering Final Round

May 30, 2021
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 29: Jordan Spieth reacts as he makes a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club on May 29, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 29: Jordan Spieth reacts as he makes a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club on May 29, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Jordan Spieth is just 18 holes away from a wire-to-wire victory at the 2021 Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, after another masterful round Saturday.

Paired up with Jason Kokrak, the Dallas native continued to excel at Colonial Country Club as he looks for his second tour victory this season and seventh top-10 finish at the course just outside his hometown.

A moving-day round of 66 brought him to 15 under par for the tournament and one stroke ahead of Kokrak, who shot a 66 as well but remains at 14 under. Kokrak had an opportunity to take the solo lead and put pressure on Spieth with a birdie putt at No. 18, but the 54-foot shot proved too difficult and the Canadian settled for par.

Spieth wouldn't make the same mistake, burying his birdie putt for the sixth circle of the day on his scorecard.

Here's a look at where things stand heading into Sunday's final round.

Charles Schwab Challenge Saturday Leaderboard

1. Jordan Spieth (-15)

2. Jason Kokrak (-14)

3. Sergio Garcia (-10)

T4. Ian Poulter (-8)

T4. Sebastian Munoz (-8)

T6. Brendon Todd (-7)

T6. Erik Compton (-7)

T6. Patton Kizzire (-7)

T9. Kyle Stanley (-6)

T9. Tony Finau (-6)

T9. Talor Gooch (-6)

T9. Kevin Streelman (-6)

T9. Brian Harman (-6)

T9. Kramer Hickok (-6)

T9. Adam Hadwin (-6)

T9. Maverick McNealy (-6)

Notables: T17. Harold Varner III (-5), T17. Justin Rose (-5), T27. Kevin Kisner (-3), T27. Collin Morikawa (-3), T34. Gary Woodland (-2), T46. Justin Thomas (-1), T52. Will Zalatoris (E)

Full leaderboard available via PGA Tour

Recap

Spieth powered through the first two rounds of play without making a single bogey. He wouldn't be so fortunate Saturday. The 27-year-old went 40 holes at Colonial before the par-four No. 5 tripped him up.

A wayward tee shot into the rough left Spieth attempting to make up ground with his second stroke, but he couldn't reach the green in regulation. A two-putt didn't help matters either as Spieth dropped a shot for the first time all week. He'd earn his second blemish of the tournament three holes later when he went way right of the green on a par three. Spieth nearly saved par, but his eight-foot putt stopped one inch in front of the cup.

He played perfect the rest of the way, finishing strong with three birdies on the back nine for his second consecutive round of 66.

Kokrak ran into a bit more trouble out there. 

After back-to-back birdies to begin his round, Kokrak gave both strokes right back with bogeys on No. 4 and No. 5—both par fours. It took four more birdies on the back nine for the Ontario native to pull back into a draw with Spieth, and only a missed birdie putt on 18 stopped him from ending the round tied for first.

Despite a few flaws Saturday, Kokrak remains four strokes ahead of Sergio Garcia in third.

The big winner other than Spieth and Kokrak on moving day was Ian Poulter, who provided the round with its namesake by vaulting 26 spots up the leaderboard with a round of 64—six strokes fewer than he used Friday.

Poulter dropped in seven birdies with just one bogey—courtesy of a wayward second shot on par-four No. 7—gaining 3.43 strokes putting as he vaulted into the top five.

Another day like that will have Poulter squarely in the race for the title Sunday.

He'll just have to hope Spieth and Kokrak continue to drop shots in the process.

Bryson DeChambeau: 'No Way' Phil Mickelson Outdrives Me at Capital One's 'The Match'

May 29, 2021
KIAWAH ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 19: Phil Mickelson of the United States and Bryson DeChambeau of the United States walk off the tenth hole during a practice round prior to the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Resort's Ocean Course on May 19, 2021 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KIAWAH ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 19: Phil Mickelson of the United States and Bryson DeChambeau of the United States walk off the tenth hole during a practice round prior to the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Resort's Ocean Course on May 19, 2021 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Bryson DeChambeau is confident he'll comfortably outdrive Phil Mickelson during the latest edition of Capital One's The Match on July 6.

"Phil outdrive me at The Match? There is no way," DeChambeau told Steve DiMeglio of Golfweek on Saturday. "That week I'm coming out with the long driver and I'll have the spin rate dialed in and there's no chance he'll ever get close to my ball speed. He won't get close to my drives."

DeChambeau, 27, leads the PGA Tour in average driving distance (322.5). While Mickelson, 50, is tied for 48th in that stat (302.5), he was able to deliver some bombs off the tee when he needed them en route to the PGA Championship title earlier this month.

Mickelson ranked 15th in average drive distance at the tournament, although his 313.3-yard average still trailed DeChambeau's 327.6-yard mark, which led the tournament.

Both golfers should have the green light in the tee box in The Match, which will take place 7,500 feet above sea level at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana.

DeChambeau, who'll team with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to take on Mickelson and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, used a Star Wars analogy for the matchup.

"It's like the Jedis against the Empire. We're put here trying to fight for good and they're working for the Empire," he told DiMeglio. "It's going to be a fun match. I've always wanted to be a part of it ever since I saw Tiger and Phil go at it. It's great for the game of golf. I think it will grow the game where people are going to be able to bet on it and enjoy the entertainment."

The 2020 U.S. Open champion added he's already been in contact with Rodgers to work on their game plan.

"I've talked to him quite a bit on the phone and we're coming up with some plans," DeChambeau said. "We'll be ready. And we know there is going to be no shortage of banter in this match, so we'll be ready for that, too."

The Match will feature donations to Feeding America and other charitable organizations. Coverage will begin at 5 p.m. ET on July 6 on TNT.

Charles Schwab Challenge 2021: Jordan Spieth Takes 1-Shot Lead After Round 2

May 29, 2021
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 28: Jordan Spieth hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club on May 28, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 28: Jordan Spieth hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club on May 28, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Dallas native Jordan Spieth continued making himself right at home during second-round action at the Charles Schwab Challenge in nearby Fort Worth, Texas, finishing his second atop the leaderboard for the second consecutive day. 

Spieth shot a 66 to move to 11-under par and one stroke ahead of Jason Kokrak, who set the pace on Friday with a round of 65. 

Colonial Country Club has typically brought out the best in Spieth. Friday was no different. In his eight previous PGA events at the course, the 27-year-old has six top-ten finishes, two second-place finishes and one victory—the 2016 Dean & Deluca Invitational. 

Two rounds into this season's turn at Colonial, Spieth is on track to pick up his second victory at the annual event as well as his second victory on tour in 2021. 

Here's a look at the players chasing the Texan into the weekend. 

Charles Schwab Challenge Second Round Leaderboard

1. Jordan Spieth (-11)

2. Jason Kokrak (-10)

T3. Sebastian Munoz (-8)

T3. Sergio Garcia (-8)

T3. Patton Kizzire (-8)

T6. Maverick McNealy (-7)

T6. Charley Hoffman (-7)

T6. Adam Hadwin (-7)

9. Kramer Hickok (-6)

T10. Brian Harman (-5)

T10. Robert Streb (-5)

T10. Collin Morikawa (-5)

T10. Kevin Streelman (-5)

T10. Erik Compton (-5)

Notables: T15. Tony Finau (-4), T15. Justin Rose (-4), T29. Justin Thomas (-2), T43. Gardy Woodland (-1), Missed Cut. Phil Mickelson (+2).

Full leaderboard available via PGA Tour

Recap

Despite a nearly two-and-a-half hour rain delay interrupting the start of his round, Spieth was locked in on Friday as he attempts a wire-to-wire victory. Not only did Spieth sink at least four birdies for the second consecutive day, he's now made it through 36 holes at Colonial without a bogey. 

That was the type of blemish-free round last week's PGA Championship-winner, Phil Mickelson, could've used.

Instead, the lefty missed the cut by one stroke after he bogeyed the par-four No. 18.

Mickelson put himself in a rough spot after Thursday's opening round of 73 and would have to quickly fix his mistakes in order to make it to the weekend. For awhile on Friday it appeared he was on track to do just that. 

After an opening bogey on No. 1, the 50-year-old strung together three birdies in four holes before the turn. Another birdie on No. 15 put him safely inside the cut line before he ran out of steam. 

Mickelson bogeyed the par-three No. 16 to drop right onto the cut line before a closing bogey on No. 18 ended his tournament early. 

Now the attention turns to Kokrak and Spieth in Round 3 as the two attempt to stay ahead of the field on moving day. If Kokrak plays anything like he did on Friday, that shouldn't be much of an issue. 

The 36-year-old Canadian had one bogey on six birdies with some impressive work in the short game. Kokrak hit 77.8 percent of his greens in regulation, but gained 1.6 strokes putting.

A strong game off the tee on Saturday could boost his odds significantly, but Kokrak has proven he can make those shots up on the back end. 

As Kokrak prepares to tee off with Spieth for the third round of play, a second tour victory this season remains in sight for both players. 

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