Cameron Young kept control of the Cadillac Championship after 36 holes at Trump National Doral, following an opening 64 with a 67 to sit at 13 under and carry a five-shot advantage into the weekend.
Young’s first blemish of the week came at the par‑4 14th when a chip from a sidehill lie failed to reach the green, but he responded quickly. He drove the green at the par‑4 16th and two‑putted for what stood as his 14th birdie of the tournament, leaving him with a comfortable cushion. Young acknowledged the challenge ahead on a tough course but said he felt he had been playing well so far.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who played alongside Young, produced a bogey‑free 67 but remained seven shots adrift. Scheffler said he needed to keep narrowing the gap and focus on staying committed to his game plan as the course shows its character over the weekend.
Alex Smalley moved into solo second at nine under. Canada’s Nick Taylor and American Jordan Spieth were tied for third at eight under.
England’s Alex Fitzpatrick made a big jump, rising 31 places into a tie for sixth at six under after a bogey‑free 66 on Friday. Fresh off a Zurich Classic team win with his brother Matt that secured his PGA Tour membership, Fitzpatrick has carried momentum into Miami. He posted an even‑par 72 on Thursday following a rollercoaster five‑birdie, five‑bogey round, then strung together six birdies with no bogeys on Friday.
Fitzpatrick described the past week as exhilarating and likened this tournament to the ‘‘first day of school’’ as he settles into life on the PGA Tour. He said his ball‑striking has felt right and that getting to Miami — even with altered travel plans — was worth it for a $20 million signature event. He hopes to keep finding fairways and greens as the weekend unfolds.
Television coverage of the third round begins at 4pm on Saturday on Sky Sports Golf.