Live leaderboard: Round 2 of The Northern Trust

FootJoy Pro|SL & Pro|SL Carbon Although the Pro/SL has been the most worn shoe on global Tours, FootJoy decided to take it to another level in 2020. The results are more stability, traction, and comfort. The new Infinity Outsole is 11.5% wider and offers 30% more traction than the outsole on the previous generation. A new Pro|SL Carbon version integrates a full-length carbon fiber insert into the midsole for even more stability and motion control. The carbon fiber flexes and snaps back to its molded position with each step. This recovers more of the energy generated while walking, resulting in less leg and foot fatigue at the end of the round. True Linkswear Ecoknit Sustainability has been one of the biggest trends in apparel in footwear the PGA Merchandise Show. Feeding into that trend is the new Ecoknit shoe from True Linkswear. The uppers are completely created from recycled bottles, with each pair using eight recycled bottles. This casual silhouette works as well off the course as it does on it. Now you can feel good about looking good. Ralph Lauren Continuing with the eco-friendly story, Ralph Lauren is using a recycled polyester on three of its core knits. The brand is also working with factories that embrace gender equality on their executive teams. From a fashion standpoint, stylish microprints and sophisticated shades of grey take center stage for Fall 2020. Popular layering pieces, like hybrid jackets, insulated vests, and cashmere hoodies return in updated colorways for the season. Jim Nantz by Vineyard Vines Vineyard Vines recently opened a new concept store featuring the Jim Nantz by Vineyard Vines Collection just steps from Pebble Beach Golf Links’ iconic practice green. The store is filled with performance polos, 1�2-zip, vests, sweaters, cardigans and jackets, each of which pays homage to the history of the course and the area. At the forefront of the collection is the Pescadero Performance ½-Zip, which was inspired by the scenic Pescadero Point. Another showcase piece in the collection is the Carmel Polo with a small, sophisticated print. Bonobos Prints are once again the talk of the show and Bonobos has some of the coolest ones around. Building on its relationship with Justin Rose, the brand has created a range of rose-inspired prints, both large and small. Other key pieces from Bonobos include its popular Highland, Highland Tour, and Lightweight 5-Pocket pants in a variety of classic colors. G/FORE MG4+ G/FORE is known for a modern and edgy attitude that pushes golf fashion to places it has never been. The latest example of this is the new MG4+ shoe. With a sleek upper and expansive midsole, the MG4+ looks like it just walked off a high-fashion runway. This shoe is about more than trendy good looks, though. A 3D molded external heel counter provides lateral stability while a non-slip outsole with hybrid knurled and sawtooth traction keep players in contact with the ground.

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Russell Knox ... Despite all that differentiates us, the narrative of 2020 forever will be that significant challenges have affected everyone. The Scot's added personal layer is that he endured a spell of 10 consecutive missed cuts that bridged the three-month shutdown. He found a whiff of form late last season but still missed the Playoffs. Armed with an additional season of fully exempt status thanks to the eligibility adjustments, he's made it count early with a T9 at the Safeway Open and top 20s in his last two starts. Currently fifth on TOUR in greens hit and 27th in proximity, the latest form is vintage. He's also 4-for-5 at Sea Island with a personal-best T20 last year. Ryan Armour ... There's nothing wrong with stereotyping him as a horse for courses. There are worse things for one of the shortest hitters with a TOUR card, especially at 44 years of age. He proved it again at Port Royal where he matched a T8 in last year's inaugural Bermuda Championship with another three weeks ago. Now he descends on Sea Island for the sixth time. He's yet to miss a cut and he recorded top 25s in the last two years. Scott Brown ... The native of Augusta, Georgia, has been as comfortable at Sea Island as anywhere else throughout his career. Overall, he's 5-for-7 with four top 20s, including a T14 last year. He's profiled as a guy who retains his card thanks for the occasional blast of form that he also rides for a short period of time. It's not so much streaky-good as it's reliably substantive when it's in motion. Given that he's fresh off a T24 at the Vivint Houston Open, and that it's his second-best finish since his trip to the Golden Isles last year, his trends are converging. Hank Lebioda ... Cue the Nappy Factor! The 26-year-old is due to become a first-time father and of a boy, so it's not surprising in the least that he's off and running this season. The lefty already has two top 25s on the board thanks to a crisper short game. Whether he can sustain it over time is the question, but his priorities are changing by the day and he's embarking on his third straight season with a TOUR card, so the learning curve is beginning to flatten. He also has a solid chance of extending the bump at Sea Island where he's 2-for-2. Davis Thompson ... It's a special time for the 21-year-old senior at the University of Georgia. He just scaled to the top of the World Amateur Golf Ranking in its latest update thanks in part to a pair of top fives in collegiate action since qualifying for the U.S. Open by virtue of a special category carved out for the best amateurs (in the USGA's effort to build a familiar field during a pandemic). His first career PGA TOUR start occurred in The RSM Classic last year. All he did was lead the field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (for the three lasered rounds at Seaside) and rank third in scrambling and T5 in par-5 scoring. Oh, and it's a home game as he lives on Saint Simons Island. NOTE: Sleeper is a relative term, so Rob uses unofficial criteria to determine who qualifies. Each of the following usually is determined to be ineligible for this weekly staple: Winners of the tournament on the current host course; winners in the same season; recent major champions; top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking; recent participants of team competitions.

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