05/30/2026
PGA Tour Rookie Jordan Smith Takes Colonial Lead With Familiar Formula
PGA Tour rookie Jordan Smith has seized the outright lead at the Charles Schwab Challenge after firing a second straight 5-under 65 at Colonial Country Club to reach 10-under 130. The 33-year-old Englishman, who earned his card via the DP World Tour pathway, has relied on a familiar fairways-and-greens formula with precise iron play and clutch putting, including a 31-foot birdie on the 16th and a 40-footer earlier. This marks his first 36-hole lead on Tour, thrilling fans as he heads into the weekend with a one-shot advantage over a stacked group including Hideki Matsuyama, Brian Harman and others. Smith’s steady approach suits the demanding yet scorable layout perfectly, positioning the debutant for a potential breakthrough victory in Fort Worth as he embraces the new experience of leading.