Rookies Hirata and Blanchet Level at Bermuda Championship
Kensei Hirata fired a bogey-free 64 on Friday to join Chandler Blanchet at 13-under 129 after two rounds of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Blanchet, the opening-round leader, closed with a birdie for a 67. Five players sit one stroke behind, while the cut at five under eliminated defending champion Adam Schenk.
Hirata, a six-time Japan Golf Tour winner with four of those titles in 2024, qualified for the PGA Tour by placing 15th on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour points list. This is his first Bermuda appearance, and his 64 matched his season low.
Blanchet had previously held or shared a 36-hole lead at the Puerto Rico Open in March, where he placed second behind Ricky Castillo. He debuted in this event in 2022 and missed the cut; this is his 29th Tour start.
The outcome may matter most to players chasing FedExCup Fall positions, as strong weeks could improve event access and earnings. For fans in Bermuda and Japan, Hirata's rise could draw added attention to the tournament and to Japanese golf. A weekend with stronger wind could test players and produce a compelling finish, potentially boosting local tourism and broadcast interest.