Wesley Bryan has a big finish to restore lead at Puntacana on the PGA Tour

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Wesley Bryan went from comfortably leading at the start to needing a big finish at the end Friday in the Corales Puntacana Championship, and he got every bit of that for a 6-under 66 to move back in front of Justin Lower.

Bryan was tied for the lead in the morning when he reached the par-5 seventh hole to begin his eagle-birdie-birdie finish. Lower, playing three groups behind, did well to stay in range with two birdies over the last three holes for a 64.

Bryan, playing on a sponsor exemption, was at 15-under 129 to set the 36-hole tournament record by two shots. It also marked Bryan’s personal best for 36 holes.

He feels he stole a birdie on the par-3 ninth, his final hole, with a 30-foot putt that had what he felt was 10 feet of break.

“Putter is feeling good in the hands and hitting the ball fairly well. And off the tee has been nice,” Bryan said. “Been a good couple of days.”