J.J. Spaun, the reigning U.S. Open champion, is making waves at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. With a focus on improving his putting, Spaun is preparing for his upcoming U.S. Open title defense. Currently, he is two shots behind leader Jordan Smith after the second round at Colonial Country Club.

Spaun’s Performance and Strategy

Spaun’s performance at Colonial has been noteworthy, with a 2-under 68 in the second round, placing him at 8 under overall. His front nine was particularly strong, marked by four birdies, although he faced challenges with late bogeys. Spaun’s recent switch to a new putter seems to be paying off, as he aims to regain confidence on the greens.

“It’s nice to see that the putter switch was a good change,” Spaun remarked, highlighting the importance of putting in his game. Despite missing the cut in several events earlier this year, including the Masters and PGA Championship, Spaun remains optimistic about his form.

Competition and Conditions

Jordan Smith leads the tournament at 10 under, followed closely by Hideki Matsuyama and others at 9 under. The competition is fierce, with several top players in contention. The conditions at Colonial have been challenging, with temperatures reaching the mid-90s and a heat index near 100. These factors have made the fairways firm and difficult to navigate.

Other notable performances include A.J. Ewart’s career-best 63, which featured a hole-in-one at the par-3 16th. Meanwhile, defending champion Ben Griffin and Justin Thomas are just above the cut line at 4 under.

Looking Ahead

Spaun plans to play the Memorial Tournament next week before taking a break ahead of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. He aims to balance rest and preparation to ensure peak performance during his title defense.

As the tournament progresses, Spaun’s focus on putting and strategic scheduling could be key factors in his success at Colonial and beyond.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.