J.J. Spaun posts 68, stands two shots off lead at Charles Schwab Challenge

J.J. Spaun recorded four birdies on the front nine and finished with a 2-under 68 on Friday at the Charles Schwab Challenge. The round left him at 8 under par and two strokes behind the leader after 36 holes. Jordan Smith moved into sole possession of the lead with a 31-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th hole.

Smith saved par from a bunker on the 17th and finished with a second consecutive 65 for a 10-under total.

Thorbjornsen each shot 65 to reach 9 under. Ryan Gerard posted 67 and Brian Harman shot 66 to join them at that total. J.J. Spaun, Akshay Bhatia, Russell Henley, Brice Garnett and Alex Smalley were also inside the top 10 after two rounds. Temperatures reached the mid-90s with a heat index near 100. Conditions are forecast to remain hot and dry through the weekend.