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2w ago

Jordan Smith Takes One-Shot Lead After Volatile First Two Rounds at Colonial

Soft conditions and a weather-delayed opening round produced low scores that set up a crowded leaderboard and a tense moving day for players prepping for the U.S. Open.

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May 24, 2026; McKinney, Texas, USA; Stephan Jaeger surveys the first green during the final round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson golf tournament. Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Play was halted for dangerous weather during the first round and resumed about two hours later, after which six players (Tom Kim, J.J. Spaun, Ryan Gerard, Andrew Putnam, Matt McCarty and Lee Hodges) shared the 6-under lead.
  • Jordan Smith surged in the second round to sit at 10-under and hold a one-shot lead going into the weekend after recording back-to-back 65s.
  • The 36-hole cut fell at 2-under, sending home several notable names including Tony Finau, Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler and Sungjae Im.
  • Equipment and form stories continued to ripple through the field with Ludvig Åberg credited for gains after switching to a Scotty Cameron Phantom 3 putter and Alex Smalley remaining in contention after a bogey-free 65.
  • Stephan Jaeger withdrew in the second round with a reported back injury, and players are treating Colonial as a key U.S. Open tune-up while the tournament’s $1.782 million first prize, tartan jacket and custom 1982 Jeep remain on the line.