Cameron Young opens five-shot lead at PGA Cadillac Championship

Florida: Cameron Young moved into a commanding position after the second round of the PGA Cadillac Championship, taking a five-shot lead on Friday at Trump National Doral.

The fourth-ranked American carded a five-under-par 67 to reach 13-under 131 through 36 holes. Young made a fast start, picking up birdies on four of his first seven holes to pull clear of the field.

Jordan Spieth, Alex Smalley and Canada’s Nick Taylor were tied for second on 136, while Gary Woodland stood another shot back on 137.

Young said his work on the greens had been central to his strong position.

I've just putted really well.

he said.

I've left myself in mostly doable spots when I've missed greens.

He added: "But I haven't driven it great and that's something I hopefully look to return to normal over the next couple days."

The American, who won the Players Championship in March and claimed his first PGA title last August at Greensboro, said he was at ease despite holding a sizeable advantage going into the weekend.

I've been around the lead quite a bit and I'm not particularly uncomfortable. I've liked this golf course thus far.

Young said.

There's a lot of guys four or five back. I'm sure somebody will be four- or five-under tomorrow so you have to prepare for that.

Strong putting and recovery shots shape round

Young led the field in both putting and scrambling statistics. He said he had largely stayed away from costly mistakes even though he was not fully satisfied with his driving.

I avoided the bad misses for the most part. It's not like I drove it awful but I would love to play from the fairway a couple more times the next couple days.

he said.

There's a lot of golf to be played on a difficult golf course but so far I've played well. If I can drive it a little bit better, I feel like I can keep cruising and see what happens.

Young took the outright lead with a birdie at the par-five first after reaching the green in two. He then widened the gap with a 17-foot birdie putt at the third and another from 27 feet at the fifth. A seven-foot birdie putt at the seventh extended his lead to four shots.

He also produced key recovery efforts on the front nine. At the par-five eighth, his approach became plugged in a bunker. He played out into a neighbouring bunker before getting the ball to five feet and saving par. At the par-three ninth, he missed the green but still managed to save par from just outside six feet.

Young added another birdie with a 16-foot putt at the par-three 13th to move five ahead. He then made his first bogey of the tournament at the 14th after taking two shots to get out of greenside rough. He restored the five-shot cushion at the par-four 16th, where he drove the green and two-putted from 26 feet for birdie.

With two rounds remaining, Young holds a clear advantage, but he indicated that he expects pressure from those chasing him on a course he described as difficult.