DELOFTED-Style Article:
Young in Express Mode: Cadillac Championship Under Control!
Folks, things are heating up here in Florida! Cameron Young, the world's No. 4, got off to a blistering start and built a commanding five-shot lead after Friday's second round of the PGA Cadillac Championship.
With four birdies on his first seven holes, he carded a spectacular 5-under par 67, putting him at an incredible 13-under par (131 total strokes) after 36 holes at Trump National Doral in Florida. What a round!
Young himself remained cool: "My putting has been really strong. Even when I missed the green, the balls were usually still in a good position. But I'm not entirely happy with the driver yet – that needs to improve over the next few days!"
In second place, a trio consisting of three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, his fellow countryman Alex Smalley, and Canadian Nick Taylor all lurk at 136 strokes. Gary Woodland (USA) follows closely behind with 137 strokes.
Young, who claimed the 2026 Players Championship in March and secured his maiden PGA title in Greensboro last August (2025!), appeared relaxed despite the lead. However, he also knows: A lead like this can melt away over the weekend faster than you can say 'Bogey'.
"I've been in the lead many times before and I'm quite comfortable with it. The course suits me well so far," said Young. "There are a lot of guys four or five shots back, and I'm sure someone will deliver a really low round (-4 or -5) tomorrow. You have to be prepared for that."
Young was at the top of the charts for putting and scrambling statistics. Now that's a statement!
"I mostly avoided the worst mis-hits. It's not like my driver was a disaster, but hitting a few more fairways would be great for the next few days," he analyzed. "There's still a lot of golf ahead of us on a really challenging course. But so far, it's going well. If I can control the driver a bit better, then hopefully I can keep cruising and see what happens in the end."
On the par-5 first hole, Young reached the green in two strokes and grabbed a birdie – securing the outright lead! And he followed up: a 17-foot birdie putt on the third and a monster putt from over 27 feet on the fifth further extended his lead. On the seventh, Young sank a seven-foot putt for birdie, and suddenly he had a four-shot advantage.
A brief scare on the par-5 eighth: Young's approach shot got stuck in the bunker. He extricated himself into an adjacent bunker, from there he chipped to five feet and saved – chapeau! – par. On the par-3 ninth, he also missed the green, but rolled the ball to just over six feet and saved par again. Nerves of steel!
On the par-3 13th hole, Young holed a 16-foot putt for birdie – a five-shot lead! But then the first
