'Thrilled' Beau Hossler has stress-free Friday en route to Sanderson Farms Championship 36-hole lead

JACKSON, Mississippi — David Skinns woke up Friday morning atop the leaderboard at the Sanderson Farms Championship after shooting a course record 12-under par 60 on Thursday.

He’ll wake up Saturday in a three-way for third place at 13-under − two shots behind leader Beau Hossler, who shot an 8-under 64, and one shot behind Daniel Berger.

“I’m thrilled,” said Hossler, who had seven birdies and an eagle Friday after making six birdies Thursday. “Just feel like I made it relatively stress-free. Certainly a few holes I had to grind a little bit.

“All in all, ball’s been in the fairway or close and on the green or close, and I’ve putted pretty well. I’ve read the greens pretty well from seven to 20 feet.”

Hossler has two more days to try to make sure his name is the one on the $1.37 million check that goes to the winner.

Not that he’s not used to pressure and success.

Hossler twice qualified for the U.S. Open as a teenager, including in 2012 when he finished tied for 29th and held the lead halfway through the second round.

Berger, along with many others, though, would like to make sure Hossler’s doesn’t get the tournament’s top spoils.

“I’m just trying to have some fun and enjoy myself,” said Berger, who has 14 birdies − seven each round − and zero bogeys. “Seems to be working so far. My dad was out here earlier with me this week, so just felt kind of like a normal week at home.

“That’s usually when I play my best.”

Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter for the USA Today Network. Reach him at pskrbina@gannett.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina.