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ATLANTA -- Reigning PGA champion Justin Thomas eagled the final hole to shoot a 4-under-par 66 on Friday, leaving him tied with Webb Simpson and England's Paul Casey after the second round at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. The trio is at 7-under 133 at the midway point of final event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Simpson and Casey, who began the day tied for second, each shot a 67 on Friday.
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"I really felt like I played or had the opportunity to really go somewhat or decently low today or post a pretty solid number out there for this golf course," Thomas said. "I had some good putts that I don't know how they didn't go in."
Tied for fourth at 6-under 134 is Patrick Reed, England's Justin Rose (66), Gary Woodland (67) and Spain's Jon Rahm (67). Reed's 65 was the low round of the day.
"We did some maintenance work last night on the range with my coach, seemed to get alignments a little better," Reed said. "Anytime you can be middle of the pack and work yourself up to being in the hunt, it's always great."
Rookie Xander Schauffele (66), U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka (69) and Jason Dufner (67) are tied for eighth at 5-under 133.
Thomas hit his 231-yard approach shot on the 590-yard 18th hole to within six feet of the hole and made the putt for eagle. Thomas, who began the week No. 2 in the points race, can win the $10 million FedEx Cup prize if he wins the Tour Championship. He finished sixth in the tournament last year.
Casey's round was derailed with consecutive bogeys at 12 and 13, but he gathered himself and made a birdie at No. 16. He parred the final two holes.
Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open champion, had to overcome a double-bogey at No. 13 after hooking his drive. Simpson made par on the final five holes.
First-round leader Kyle Stanley shot a 3-over 73 and fell into a tie for 15th at 3-under 137.
Top-seeded Justin Spieth followed his first-round 67 with a 70 and is tied for 16th. He bogeyed the first hole, the first of four bogeys on his card, but finished his round with a birdie.
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, the No. 3 seed entering the tournament, failed to get any traction for the second straight day and signed for a 69. He joined Spieth in the group at 3 under.
"I felt like I hit it good, had a lot of opportunities, didn't make any putts," Johnson said. "I just want to get it within striking distance. If I can get it within three, I would be happy."
