For the second consecutive day, Max Greyserman (-12) achieved the best round at the Yokohama Country Club, where the Baycurrent Classic, formerly known as the Zozo Championship, is taking place. The American, who is seeking his first victory on the PGA Tour, has accelerated towards his goal with a sensational 63, but knows better than anyone that the job is not yet done and he cannot ease up over the weekend.
This Friday, with six birdies and an eagle, without committing a single bogey, he has once again demonstrated how comfortable he feels when competing in Japan. He played very long from the tee, and although he wasn’t particularly accurate (just over 40% of fairways), he was outstanding in recovery, giving himself good chances. Undoubtedly, the best news for a player like him, whose strength lies on the greens, where he usually takes advantage of his favourite club in the bag, the putter.
“My strength is in putting. This year I’ve improved my short game, bunker shots, and chips, although I’ve had ups and downs from the tee,” he acknowledged after his round, indicating where he would focus his efforts in practice before the weekend: “I’m going to practice some straight putts from three to five metres, which are more common here, and hit a few drives before resting for tomorrow.” Because Greyserman is aware that there’s still a long way to go…
In the bunker … no problem!
Max Homa flashing the short game @Baycurrent_Clsc. pic.twitter.com/iwliZpmVrh
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 10, 2025
A year ago, he lost the tournament on the last hole. This time, in a different setting in the Asian country, he seeks his particular revenge: “The job isn’t finished until the tournament is over. We have to keep pushing, try to make as many birdies as possible, and aim for the lowest score. I know I have a three or four-shot lead, but that doesn’t change anything: I’m going out with the mindset of shooting the lowest round I can.”
A clear statement of intent on his part where the focus should be on his game and trying not to look at what’s coming from behind. Because beyond the surge of Nico Echevarría (-7), who left him with a bitter taste in the 2024 edition, the list of names trying to follow in his wake is quite dangerous for Max, both due to the level of play of his opponents and their position on the tour.
Alex Smalley (-8), who started the week in 87th place in the FedEx, shouldn’t have trouble retaining his card, but he needs to finish the job. Xander Schauffele (-8) isn’t in that kind of battle, but he arrived in Japan as one of the favourites to win and with the memory of his Olympic gold in the country, and today he showed his potential by matching the leader’s 63; while Alex Noren (-8) needs a good result to secure his playing rights for 2026 without having to rely on the top 10 of the Race to Dubai.
Also, despite facing the weekend with a five-shot deficit, it’s unwise to rule out players like Brian Campbell (-7) or Si Woo Kim (-7), two of the top 50 in the overall circuit who are competing in this reduced field event, nor indeed Sahith Theegala (-7), who in a challenging season for him, without a single top 10, hampered by an injury between the Masters and the Open, and in 151st place in the FedEx in the autumn, needs to make the most of this final part of the calendar to avoid missing out next season (unless some medical exemption ‘saves’ him).
