Golf: Patrick Cantlay takes 1-shot lead into weekend at Tour Championship

Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Patrick Cantlay shot a bogey-free 66 in the second round of the Tour Championship on Friday to enter the weekend with a one-shot lead over top-ranked Jon Rahm.

Rahm birdied his final three holes for a 5-under 65 on the second day at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Cantlay birdied his last two holes to maintain his slight advantage going into the weekend chase for the PGA Tour's $15 million prize.

"We definitely feed off each other," Rahm said. "And that's probably why you see the difference in the scoreboard right now."

Cantlay started the season-ending Tour Championship at 10-under par because he held the top spot in the FedEx Cup standings. Rahm started four shots back.

Using the comfort of that early lead, the 29-year-old Cantlay again appeared to take a conservative approach, often playing to the fat part of the green. He hit 16 of 18 greens, as he got to 17-under par for the tournament.

"The two rounds were very similar," Cantlay said. "Mostly mistake-free, both rounds, and I hit the ball pretty well, kept the ball in control, fat side mostly, and had really nice speed on the greens and just didn't make very much."

Bryson DeChambeau was the next closest player to Cantlay and Rahm. He shot a 3-under 67 on Friday and was six shots behind the lead at 11-under par.

Justin Thomas (67) entered the weekend in fourth at 10-under par. Harris English (69), Viktor Hovland (68), Cameron Smith (68), Kevin Na (67) and Tony Finau (67) were tied for fifth at 9-under par.

Louis Oosthuizen (67), Jordan Spieth (67) and Rory McIlroy (66) were at 8-under par and sat 10th going into Saturday's third round.

The third round of the season-ending tournament is scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m. EDT.