Taylor adds new TaylorMade SIM Max 4-iron at Sony Open in Hawaii

JEJU ISLAND, South Korea (AP) — Justin Thomas shot a 9-under 63 Friday to take a two-stroke lead at THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES, putting himself in position to win his second PGA TOUR event in South Korea in three years. Thomas, who won the inaugural CJ CUP in 2017, had a two-round total of 13-under 131. South Korean-born New Zealander Danny Lee (66) was in a tie for second place with first-round leader Byeong Hun An, who shot 69. Related: Leaderboard Jordan Spieth (65) and Emilaino Grillo (66) were tied for fourth, four strokes behind. After a 66 on Thursday, Jason Day bogeyed four of his last six holes Friday for a 73 and was eight strokes behind. Defending champion Brooks Koepka had four bogeys on his first nine for a 75 and was 13 strokes behind. Last year’s runner-up Gary Woodland had a second straight 71 and was 11 behind at 2 under with Phil Mickelson, who shot 72. There are 78 players in the no-cut, limited-field event. It’s the first of three PGA TOUR events in Asia, continuing next week at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP in Japan and ending with a World Golf Championships event in Shanghai.

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DUBLIN, Ohio – Jack Nicklaus has revealed he and wife Barbara both contracted COVID-19 in March but have since recovered. Speaking on CBS during a final-round weather delay of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide that he hosts at Muirfield Village, Nicklaus said the couple bunkered down at home for more than a month and managed to get through the virus without too much complication. Both Jack and Barbara turned 80 earlier this year, putting them in the at-risk category for the virus that has caused devastation across the globe and claimed over 142,000 American lives. “Back in mid-March Barbara and I both contracted the coronavirus. Barbara was asymptomatic, (while) I had a sore throat and a cough,” Nicklaus told Jim Nantz. “It didn’t last very long and we were very, very fortunate. We were very lucky and our hearts go out to the people that did lose their lives and families. “We were home from the 13th of March until we were done with it by about the 20th of April. We just stayed at home for the next month and made sure that we were well. We got the antibodies and theoretically we can’t give it, and can’t get it, and that’s a nice position to be in.” Those close to Nicklaus have known the news for some time but this is the first public declaration. Nicklaus has been tested multiple times and as late as a week ago was informed he carries the antibodies to the virus. “The fact that they got through it and they’re safe and here and healthy, it’s all good news for all of us who are a part of golf and who looked up to Jack and been around Barbara all these years,” Tiger Woods said. “The fact that they’re healthy is nothing but positives.” The couple has responded by running a campaign to help raise funds to provide protective equipment for frontline health care workers dealing with COVID-19 cases. Through the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation the “Wear the Bear. Show You Care.” campaign was launched. People who donate $100 or more receive a hat with the Nicklaus Golden Bear wearing a mask. The NCHCF also matches those donations. “We have a little Golden Bear with a mask on a hat and we’ve sold a lot of them and it’s been wonderful because we’ve raised a lot of money for protective equipment,” Nicklaus added. “We were just a couple of the lucky ones so we feel very strong about trying to work with the people that are working with those that who have COVID-19.” For information or to donate to the “Wear the Bear. Show You Care” campaign, visit nchcf.org/wearthebear.

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