South African golfer Darren Fichardt produced a superb second-round performance on Saturday, shooting an 11-under-par 61 to take a one-stroke lead at the Simmons Bank Championship.
Fichardt reached 14-under-par 130 after two rounds, moving ahead of first-round leader Zach Johnson, who carded a 67 to sit one shot behind heading into Sunday’s final round.
The 61 matched the lowest round of the PGA Tour Champions season and equalled the tournament record set by New Zealand’s Steven Alker in the opening round last year.
Fichardt’s Fast Start
Fichardt began his round at Pleasant Valley Country Club with a par on the first hole before producing a remarkable stretch of birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie over the next four holes.
He reached the turn in eight-under-par 28 and added further birdies on the 10th and 11th holes. After parring the next six, he finished with a birdie on the par-five 18th to complete his bogey-free round.
The performance lifted the 51-year-old from 46th place to a projected 13th in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.
“The first 11 holes was awesome,” Fichardt said, describing the round as the best of his career.
He said he had been disappointed with his opening round but felt his game was improving after several difficult weeks affected by injuries.
Johnson Stays in Contention
Johnson, a two-time major champion, remained in contention despite an uneven front nine. The American finished five-under-par on the back nine to card a 67 and secure a place in Sunday’s final group.
He said an early bogey helped him settle into the round, despite recording two bogeys and two birdies on the front nine.
“I actually made a really bad but yet very good bogey, if that makes sense, on the first hole,” Johnson said. “And then I steadied it. I played pretty good.”
Johnson is among six players who have recorded their first PGA Tour Champions victories this season.
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Alker Leads Chasing Pack
Alker also shot a 67 on Saturday to reach 11-under-par, securing a place in the final threesome on Sunday.
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson matched Alker’s total after a 68, while South Africa’s Retief Goosen, Jerry Kelly, Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez and Michael Block were tied for fifth at nine-under-par.
Four other golfers sat one shot further back.
Alker, who recorded a 61 in the opening round of last year’s tournament, said calm conditions had provided an opportunity to attack the course.
He also carded a 61 in the second round of the Rogers Charity Classic this season, matching Mark Wilson’s score in the same round.
Charles Schwab Cup Stakes
The tournament also carries significant implications for the Charles Schwab Cup standings.
The top 36 players in the standings after Sunday’s round will advance to the Cup Championship in Phoenix in two weeks.
Fichardt’s outstanding round has substantially improved his prospects of qualifying, moving him from a projected 46th place to 13th.
With one round remaining, he will aim to maintain his advantage and secure the title, while Johnson, Alker and the chasing group remain within reach.
