Tom Kim builds a 2-shot lead over Scheffler and Morikawa at Travelers Championship

Tom Kim is focusing on the long-term aspects of his golf game, and he’s reaping short-term rewards at the Travelers Championship. Kim followed up his opening round of 62 with a 5-under 65 on Friday, achieving his lowest 36-hole score to date and securing a two-shot lead.

Kim maintained a steady performance on the rain-soaked TPC River Highlands course, finishing at 13-under 127 after eight consecutive pars. He leads by two strokes over a group that includes Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa.

Scheffler, who recently had a subpar performance at the U.S. Open, faced a storm delay of more than three hours before completing his last two holes. He managed to close with an 8-foot birdie on the 18th for a round of 64. Morikawa shot a 63, and Akshay Bhatia, who finished before the storm, posted a 65, placing both two shots behind Kim.

Kim and Scheffler both celebrated their birthdays during the second round—Kim turning 22 and Scheffler 28—with a visit to a well-known Connecticut pizza joint. Kim, already a three-time PGA Tour winner, has struggled recently with only one top-10 finish in his last 19 starts since his victory in Las Vegas last fall.

Scheffler, who tied for 41st at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, a course that challenged him, looked more like the world’s top player this week. He missed only one fairway and one green in his second round, a critical aspect as officials permitted players to lift, clean, and place their balls in the fairways due to the wet conditions.

“Definitely better than last week,” Scheffler remarked. “I felt like I found some things in my swing and am reading the greens better. There’s good momentum from the last two days.”

Scheffler birdied four of his last six holes, including the final two after the rain delay. His approach shot on the 18th left him below the hole, setting up his closing birdie. Morikawa, like Kim, excelled on the front nine, making six birdies. He picked up his final birdie on the par-3 16th, ensuring his spot in the final group with Kim on Saturday.

Kim, undeterred by playing in his eighth consecutive tournament since the Byron Nelson, emphasized his focus on competition readiness over practice rounds. “I think the work I’ve been doing the past few months is paying off. It’s making me sharper and more prepared, and it’s time to show it,” Kim said.

With his steady play and confidence, Kim shows no signs of rust and is poised for a strong finish at the Travelers Championship.