Aaron Rai leads U.S. Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker in Myrtle Beach

TL;DR

Aaron Rai shot a 4-under 67 to take a one-shot lead at the Myrtle Beach Classic, ahead of Brandt Snedeker and Mark Hubbard. Rai's performance included four birdies on the inward nine.

Key points

Aaron Rai leads the Myrtle Beach Classic
He shot a 4-under 67
Rai is at 10-under 132 overall
Brandt Snedeker is one shot behind
The event is held at Dunes Golf & Beach Club

Dunes Golf & Beach ClubAaron RaiBrandt SnedekerMark Hubbard

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Aaron Rai handled the tougher pins and made four birdies on his inward nine Friday for a 4-under 67, giving him a one-shot lead over Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker and Mark Hubbard in the Myrtle Beach Classic.

Rai thought the Dunes Golf & Beach Club looked great on television when he watched Chris Gotterup win it two years ago, and he figured it would be a good place to play ahead of the PGA Championship next week.

He spent two days with Brooks Koepka, who shot 70 and was six shots behind, and has found the course to be to his liking.

“It’s been a lovely environment to play in actually the first two days,” Rai said. “I think being in a group with Brooks Koepka, Davis Thompson, who are both very good players ... obviously Brooks is one of the best players in the world. So it’s created a great atmosphere to play in.”

Rai, who has one PGA Tour victory, was at 10-under 132.

Snedeker, who will lead the Americans at Medinah in September, played bogey-free in a moderate breeze to post a 66. Hubbard shot 67 by overcoming some early mistakes to run off four straight birdies around the turn.

Koepka was trying to keep up with Rai until he went from the trees into a water hazard on the par-5 fifth hole and made bogey.

Myrtle Beach is an opposite-field event, but the winner still gets into the PGA Championship next week if he is not already eligible. Rai received a special invitation based on his world ranking. He is at No. 42 in the world, the only player from the top 50 at Myrtle Beach.

That means nothing to him as he tries to win for the second time in three years.

“No matter what anyone’s world ranking is, whether you are Scottie Scheffler, No. 1, or a little lower down, there’s no divine right in golf,” Rai said. “Everyone starts at the same playing field on Thursday, and everyone who is in this field is good enough to win. No one has any rights to walk in and play well and compete.”

The cut was at even par, and nine players who missed the weekend are in the PGA Championship next week at Aronimink.