LOS CABOS, Mexico — Matty Schmidt sank a 30-foot eagle putt with a nearly 6-foot break in six holes played at 6 under Friday at the World Technology Championship, giving him a 9-under 63 and a one-shot lead.
Nick Dunlap, who tied the course record with a 61 in the opening round, maintained his pace and was one stroke behind Schmidt until his tee shot went out on the par-4 16th hole, resulting in a double bogey. He shot a 67 with two pars and was one stroke behind.
Finland’s Sami Valimäki, who also shot a 61 in the first round, birdied three of his final five holes for a 67 to tie Dunlap with a one-shot lead over El Cardonal at Diamante.
There are only three tournaments left this season, including this one in the southern tip of Baja California. The top 100 players in the FedEx Cup will hold all PGA Tour cards for next season, down from 125 last year.
That doesn’t matter to Schmidt, who finished 70th this week. His hope is to finish in the top 60 and qualify for two $20 million signature events starting next year.
“We all know how big that game is and the extra points you can get there, and I want to play with the best players and the best courses,” Schmidt said. “Obviously that was the goal for the fall season. I need to have a really good week and I hope this is mine.”
Schmidt, a 27-year-old German who played college golf at Louisville, was at least in good position heading into the weekend.
He started on the 10th hole, made a curved eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole, and was out on the 29th. He had only two birdies on the front nine, both par-5s, and posted a 63.
Schmidt was 17 under, 127.
Dunlap isn’t far outside the top 100, but his two wins from last year, including the American Express, which he won as an amateur at Alabama, will be waived in 2026. He followed that 61 with three straight birdies and finished with a 30.
But he missed a short birdie chance and hit a wild drive on the seventh, losing two strokes.
“I just hit it right. That was my only bad swing off the tee all week,” Dunlap said. “This place gives you a lot of space off the tee, but if you miss it, you’re going to pay the price.”
Valimaki entered this week ranked 103rd, but at least has a card for next year’s European Tour. This is an important month for him as he would rather have access to bigger prize money and ranking points on the PGA Tour.
Chad Ramey, 123rd in the FedEx Cup, shot a 64 to take sole fourth place. Victor Perez (107th) followed with a 65, reaching 14-under 130 along with Ryder Cup newcomer Ben Griffin, who also started with a 65-65 record.
The cut is set at 5-under 139 and Will Gordon contributed to the weekend with an impressive performance. After a triple bogey on the 13th, he was outside the cut line, but returned with a birdie on the 14th, then holed out from the fairway on the 17th for an eagle. He made it with two strokes left after the 69.
