Sahalee Players Championship: Illinois jumps out to huge lead after 36 holes

Max Herendeen might only be a freshman at Illinois, but he is quickly making his mark on collegiate golf.

Herendeen leads the 2023 Sahalee Players Championship at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash.

This is the first time the Sahalee Players Championship is being held, with Joe Highsmith as the defending champion and Sahith Theegala finishing runner-up.

Preston Summerhays of Arizona State and a member of the winning 2023 United States Walker Cup Team, is in solo second place at 5-under. He has shot rounds of 72-67.

Herendeen opened up with a 2-over 74 first round but came out firing in the second round, shooting an 8-under 64.

Herendeen recorded eight birdies and no bogeys in his second round, including birdies on Holes No. 1, 2, and 3 to start the round.

Gaven Lane of Oklahoma State, Yannick Malik of Arizona, and Filip Jakubcik of Arizona are tied for third place at 2-under.

Nathan Petronzio of Texas is in solo sixth place at 1-under.

In the team competition, Illinois is leading by a stunning 10 shots after shooting 9-under. The Fighting Illini are the only team under par.

Texas Tech is in solo second place at 1-over.