Following an outstanding 8-under 64 on Thursday, which put him a single stroke ahead at the Cadillac Championship, Cameron Young seamlessly carried his excellent form into the start of his second round, swiftly broadening his lead and establishing a considerable gap over the rest of the competitors.
Young achieved four birdies within his initial seven holes on Friday, contributing to his second round of 67, elevating him to 13 under par and granting him a five-shot advantage as the tournament progresses into the weekend.
Young’s rapid scoring pace diminished on the back nine as the wind noticeably strengthened at Trump National Doral, presenting difficulties for the golfers in the afternoon. As playing conditions became tougher, Young’s adeptness around the greens shone through, helping him maintain his trajectory for another round in the mid-60s.
This was particularly evident on the notoriously difficult 18th hole where his approach shot landed long and to the right; however, he expertly recovered, getting up-and-down for par from the dense Bermuda rough with an exquisite chip that settled within a foot of the hole. After converting that putt, Young recorded a 67, placing him in the clubhouse at 13 under. This cumulative score is lower than what the last three champions achieved over 72 holes at Doral during its WGC hosting days.
Young began the event as the second favorite, appearing to be an ideal match for the course, given that long-distance hitting has historically been a significant asset on the extensive Blue Monster. The ironic aspect of his performance so far is that his driving has been the least consistent element of his game, yet it’s his execution in other areas that has truly made the difference.
“I believe I managed my errant shots exceptionally well, and my putting was superb. I feel like I capitalized on every opportunity presented to me,” Young stated. “My striking wasn’t terrible, but I wasn’t consistently in prime position throughout the day; my driving wasn’t spectacular. I think that’s precisely what I aim to improve tomorrow.”
He is currently leading the field in putting, ranks fifth in strokes gained on approach shots, and has successfully converted 12 out of 13 up-and-down situations. These statistics explain how he has carded only one bogey in his first 36 holes on a course as hazardous as the Blue Monster.
As he advances into the weekend holding a substantial lead, Young will rely not only on his impressive physical capabilities but also on a refined mental strategy to secure his second major event victory of the season. Young has cultivated a heightened sense of composure on the golf course, enabling him to navigate high-pressure moments more effectively.
“I’ll gladly accept any advantage I can get. I feel I’ve been in contention quite often, so I’m not particularly uneasy,” Young commented. “I’ve enjoyed playing this golf course so far. With that in mind, I’ll seize any edge you offer me. There are many players close behind, four or five shots back, and I’m sure someone will be 4-under through five holes tomorrow, so you simply need to be prepared for that and proceed accordingly.”
This mindset will undoubtedly serve him well throughout the weekend because, even with a five-stroke cushion, securing a victory on the PGA Tour is never straightforward—especially in a signature event.
Players to watch this weekend
T2. Nick Taylor, Jordan Spieth, Alex Smalley (-8)
5. Gary Woodland (-7)
T6. Scottie Scheffler, Si Woo Kim, Alex Fitzpatrick, Kristoffer Reitan, Taylor Pendrith, Brian Harman (-6)
Although he couldn’t replicate his exceptional Thursday performance, Jordan Spieth managed to maintain a share of second place with a 1-under 71, thanks to a long birdie putt on the final hole that generated some positive momentum going into the weekend. Spieth has appeared on leaderboards numerous times early in the season, but we haven’t yet seen him consistently deliver four strong rounds required for a true contention. That will be his objective this weekend, and bolstered by renewed confidence in a new driver and ball he seems genuinely fond of, he’ll aim to intensify the pressure on Young during a crucial “Moving Day.”
Scottie Scheffler had a prime vantage point for Young’s incredible play over the first two days. Following the World No. 1’s latest sluggish start on Thursday, he found his rhythm with a bogey-free 67 on Friday, propelling him into the top 10. Scheffler successfully improved his ball-striking, hitting 15 greens in the second round, and despite wishing for more from his putter, he positioned himself within striking distance for the weekend. While Scheffler has a seven-shot deficit to overcome, we have frequently observed this season that once he finds his stride on Friday, he tends to sustain that momentum through Saturday and Sunday, placing himself firmly in the mix during the closing stages.
Perhaps the most unexpected name among the top 10 is Alex Fitzpatrick, who is striving to achieve a third consecutive victory for a Fitzpatrick brother on the PGA Tour, having secured his own Tour card with a win alongside his brother Matt last week at the Zurich Classic.
Current odds and selections for the Cadillac Championship
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
- Cameron Young (5/11)
- Scottie Scheffler (7-1)
- Jordan Spieth (15-1)
- Gary Woodland (30-1)
- Nick Taylor (33-1)
- Si Woo Kim (33-1)
I favored Young at the start of the week, and he has demonstrated a superior level of play through 36 holes, though at this juncture, the chance to invest in Young at a favorable price might have passed. Scheffler is certainly a live contender, and we are familiar with his typical weekend surges from this position. I believe Kim and Woodland could also offer some minor value as long shots, considering Kim’s capacity for very low rounds and Woodland’s power, which should afford him ample opportunities to cut into Young’s lead if the frontrunner falters. This weekend certainly feels like it could be where Young solidifies his reputation as one of the Tour’s elite players, yet throughout the year, we have witnessed golfers with significant leads entering the weekend encounter considerable challenges in closing out victories.
