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Smith now hunting Cink at PGA's Heritage

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Cameron Smith likes his chances heading into the weekend of his latest PGA Tour event.
Camera IconCameron Smith likes his chances heading into the weekend of his latest PGA Tour event. Credit: AP

Cameron Smith has gone from the hunted to the hunter after the second round of the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage.

The first-round leader carded an even-par 71 at Harbour Town to be tied for fourth at nine under - seven shots adrift of Stewart Cink.

The 47-year-old Cink leapt to the top of the leaderboard with a second-straight 63 to set the tournament's 36-hole scoring mark of 16-under 126.

He appears unstoppable after two amazing days, leading by five strokes from Canada's Corey Connors with Argentine Emiliano Grillo another shot behind after both carded rounds of 64 on Friday.

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Smith is in a group with world No.4 Collin Morikawa (68), preparing to defend his PGA Championship title next month, Sungjae Im (65) and recent WGC Match Play winner Billy Horschel (67).

After recording a career low with a 62 on Thursday, Smith failed to get any momentum as he traded three bogeys with as many birdies.

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"Wasn't actually too bad out there," Smith, who holed a three-footer for birdie on his final hole of the day, said.

"I think the golfing gods got a few back on me today.

"They let everything in yesterday, and today I thought I was putting really good and just had a lot of putts that went over the edge, didn't go in.

"So, everything is looking good. Looking forward to tomorrow."

Smith's fellow Australian Cameron Davis carded a 69 for the second day in a row to be four under in a share of 31st.

Cink was hardly overwhelmed by the scores he posted, chalking them up to smart preparation and strong execution alongside his 24-year-old son, Reagan, who's caddying for him.

The 25-year PGA veteran and seven-time Tour winner came in confident after finishing tied for 12th at last week's Masters and a top-20 finish in his previous event.

"It doesn't feel all that special, to be honest with you," Cink, who won the plaid jacket at the Heritage in 2000 and 2004, said.

"We just kind of worked our game plan."

Cink made an eagle on the par-5 second and added six birdies in his bogey-free round.

Top-ranked Dustin Johnson used a back-nine surge of four birdies to avoid his second straight missed cut after leaving the Masters early - a 67 leaving him at five-under and 11 shots behind Cink.

Those to miss out on weekend play included 2015 champion Jim Furyk, Englishmen Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood and Spaniard Sergio Garcia.

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