Higgo leads Sanderson Farms with late surge; Cole and Montgomery lurk

In the Sanderson Farms Championship, Garrick Higgo is positioned as the leader after an outstanding performance. The South African golfer, with a card of 66 strokes (-6) on Friday, leads the tournament with a total of 13 under par (131).

Higgo at the top

Higgo demonstrated his skill with an impressive streak of three consecutive birdies on the final stretch of his round. On the 15th hole, he was close to achieving an eagle from the bunker, settling for a birdie. Eric Cole and Taylor Montgomery stay close, just one stroke away. Montgomery had a spectacular day with nine birdies in ten holes, finishing with a 25-foot birdie on the last hole, thus securing his place on the PGA Tour for 2026. The competition is intense, as only the top 100 players at the end of the Fall Series will retain their PGA Tour card. With five tournaments remaining, the pressure is at its highest.

Cole and Walker in the fight

Eric Cole, with ten birdies in the first round and seven more in the second, is seeking his first PGA Tour title. Danny Walker is two strokes behind, in a crucial week for his FedEx Cup aspirations, where he is ranked 104th. Vince Whaley (No. 102 in the ranking) and Tom Kim (No. 99) are also in the running, three strokes behind the leader. Whaley highlighted the difficulty of the competition and the importance of achieving good results.

I’ve made a lot of cuts and I feel like I’ve played well in the last six months. It’s getting harder here, and you need those big finishes, and I don’t feel like I’ve had them.

Vince Whaley

Higgo and his recovery

Higgo, who has already won a PGA Tour tournament this year, has overcome a labrum injury that affected his season. After considering surgery, he opted to modify his exercise routine, focusing on a smarter strategy. The golfer revealed that the pain is minimal and he feels he’s on the right track. His participation in the final group with Scottie Scheffler at the Procore Championship gave him valuable experience. Unlike other players, Higgo has already secured his PGA Tour card and his place in The Players Championship, thanks to his victory at the Puntacana Championship. Higgo describes the experience of playing with Scheffler as a source of learning and inspiration.