Winnipeg, MB – Nathan Tyler fired an 8-under 64 on Friday to join Carlos Sainz, Jr. atop the leaderboard through two rounds of the Players Cup.
Sainz, an overnight co-leader, shot 67 at Pine Ridge Golf Club to remain tied for the top spot at 12-under-par 132 through 36 holes.
"I'm just trying to stay within myself, keep the ball in between the trees and give myself as many opportunities as possible," said Tyler. "I've played well this year and feel comfortable where I'm at. I just hope to continue doing what I'm doing."
Mackenzie Hughes is alone in third place after a second-round 67, one shot ahead of Cory Renfrew (66).
Wil Collins, currently No. 2 on the Order of Merit, shot 68. He shares fifth place with South African Doug McGuigan (69) at 9-under.
Tyler, who has made all four cuts in his rookie PGA Tour Canada season, went off the 10th tee and highlighted his outward 32 with three straight birdies from the 15th.
He had four birdies and a bogey over his first five holes around the turn, then tallied back-to-back birdies from the seventh to reach 12-under.
Sainz also went off on No. 10, mixing six birdies and a bogey to retain a share of the lead after 36 holes.
"There were a couple of up and downs there that were the key to my round," said Sainz. "When you're playing well, the difference between 71 and 67 can be just a couple of up and downs. You have to fall back on your short game."
NOTES: The top three on the Order of Merit will receive exemptions into next week's PGA Tour event, the RBC Canadian Open ... Tyler and Sainz both need a win at this event to reach the top three, while Renfrew needs at least a solo second ... Kyle Stough recorded a hole-in-one at the par-3 14th. He is tied for seventh place at 8-under.
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