Ben James converted his eighth birdie on his final hole of the day Friday to enter the weekend with a one-shot lead at the World Wide Technology Championship in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
James’ bogey-free 64 propelled him to 15-under-par 129 through two rounds at El Cardonal at Diamante. Peter Malnati, who also posted a second-round 64, was at 14 under and Zac Blair (68) was alone in third at 12 under.
Play was suspended Friday at about 5:50 p.m. local time due to darkness with five players on the course. They’ll return to finish up Saturday morning, though the cut line is expected to remain at 5 under. Kristoffer Ventura of Norway and amateur Preston Stout were right on 5 under with one and two holes to play, respectively.
James, 23, is in contention once again after collecting four top-five finishes, including a third and a second, since graduating from Virginia and becoming a PGA Tour member in June.
Starting on the back nine Friday, he birdied five holes starting at No. 17 to make his move. From there it was all pars until the par-3 ninth, where he stuck his tee shot to 10 feet and made the birdie.
“I birdied 17, kind of a mediocre pitch on 18, made like a 15-footer so I felt like that was a pretty good momentum putt, and birdied 1, 2 and 3,” James said. “And 3, hit driver right up to the front of the green and just two-putted. I would say that putt for birdie on 18 started a nice run.”
As part of the FedEx Cup Fall series, the top 100 players in points at the end of the fall retain full-time status on tour for next season. James’ card is already safe after he joined the tour as the No. 1 player in the PGA Tour University rankings, but he can climb into the top 60 with a good result this week. Finishing Nos. 51-60 earns entry into the first two signature events of 2027.
James was No. 62 entering the week.
“I’m doing everything right, but for me I’m just trying to win each shot, just do the best I can for each golf shot and not thinking ahead,” James said. “Just do the best I can and, as I say, winning the shot at hand.”
Malnati had an eagle and seven birdies on his card but made his only bogey at his final hole, also the ninth, to relinquish his share of the lead.
Malnati, 39, is among those trying to secure his card beyond this season. If current results were to hold, he’s projected to jump from No. 157 to No. 107 in the standings.
“The pressure I’m feeling is that I love my job,” Malnati said. “This is what I strived for. I mean, I was probably 14-ish years old when I quit playing baseball to focus on my golf game. From the moment I made that decision, the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do was play golf on the PGA Tour.
“So I’m feeling a lot of pressure in that I’m not ready to be done doing that yet.”
Denny McCarthy and Germany’s Stephan Jaeger each shot 65s to move into a tie for fourth at 11 under.
Notable names on track to miss the cut include Billy Horschel and Colombia’s Camilo Villegas at 2 under, Joel Dahmen at 1 under, Canadian Taylor Pendrith at even par and Matt Kuchar (+1).
–Field Level Media
