Cauley and Finau hit the top in Texas

Tony Finau

The story of the day was undoubtedly Ian Poulter losing his PGA Tour card after missing the cut at the Valero Texas Open, but at the other end of the leaderboard, Bud Cauley and Tony Finau took the lead heading into the weekend. 

It was a tough day of scoring at TPC San Antonio, where the afternoon starters had to face the full force of the wind. But Cauley, who was playing in the very first group in the morning session, took advantage of the benign early conditions to shoot a bogey–free 66.

Bud Cauley

Finau, who was one of the later starters in round two, was seemingly playing a different golf course as he signed for a superb round of 65, even with a bogey at the par–5 18^th.

Finau’s six–under round was only matched by Cameron Smith’s 65, jumping the young Aussie into contention and only one shot behind the leaders.

Perhaps more impressively, Jimmy Walker is only three shots adrift after he announced earlier this week that he is battling Lyme disease.

Jimmy Walker

“I’m not going to say anything has been affecting my golf. I’m starting to putt better, and starting to drive better,” Walker said after his round of 69.

“I haven’t been playing well for a while now, but I’ve played well the last two days and at Augusta. I was excited to get here and play in front of everyone at home.”

“It’s nice to know that it is something (Lyme disease), and do something about it.”

Elsewhere, Andrew ‘BEEF’ Johnston put together a good round of 69 to make the cut at level par, but it was bad news for Luke Donald who failed to pick up any momentum and will be heading home early alongside the likes of Patrick Reed, Ian Poulter, Zach Johnson and Billy Horschel.

Luke Donald 

Related:

Ian Poulter loses his PGA Tour card