Stephan Jaeger improved on his Thursday 6-under 64 with a Friday 8-under 62 to take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the Korn Ferry Tour’s Visit Knoxville Open.
Jaeger, a six-time winner on tour, is looking for his second victory of the season after claiming last month’s Emerald Coast Classic in a playoff against David Lipsky.
Hot on Jaeger’s heels at Holston Hills Country Club, a Donald Ross design, is Kyle Reifers, who shot a 6-under 64 to take the early clubhouse lead, but now sits in second place at 13 under. Reifers, 37, last won on tour in 2006 — when it was the Nationwide Tour — at the Chattanooga Classic, where he defeated Brandt Snedeker in a playoff.
Boss of the moss.@WakeMGolf alum Kyle Reifers has opened in 63-64 @VisitKnoxOpen.
Chasing first #KornFerryTour title since 2006. pic.twitter.com/rJwGdMIEkA
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 14, 2021
After tying the course record on Thursday with a 9-under 61, Greyson Sigg is third at 11 under after a second-round 68. Harrison Endycott shot a second straight 65 to climb into solo fourth. Carl Yuan and Trey Mullinax are T-5 at 9 under.
Jaeger started steady and got hot late to find himself flirting with 59 after a blistering back nine. The German made the turn at 3 under before birdieing six of his final nine holes. If not for his lone bogey of the day on the par-4 7th, Jaeger could have also tied the course record.
Scott Stevens, a Monday qualifier for the event, rose into the top-10 with a second-round 65.