MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Patience is not a virtue for former Georgia star Harris English in his second year on the PGA Tour.

“I’m still looking for my first win and still hungry to be the best and to try to get my first win,” English said.

In his 44th event, English is closer than he’s ever been after shooting a 6-under 64 on Friday to open a two-stroke lead in the St. Jude Classic. The 23-year-old had never even had a piece of a lead on the PGA Tour until Thursday when he found himself tied with five others, including Davis Love III, after 18 holes.

He used his familiarity with the TPC Southwind course’s Bermuda greens to help him roll in five birdie putts, and he holed out from 181 yards for eagle on the par-4 fifth with only one bogey to finish the second round at 10-under 130.

Tour rookie Shawn Stefani was second after a 65. Paul Haley II and Scott Stallings each shot 68 to reach 5 under. Love was tied with four others at 4 under after a 70, and defending champion Dustin Johnson also had a 70 to finish at 3 under. Phil Mickelson was 2 under after a 67 in his final tuneup for the U.S. Open next week at Merion in Pennsylvania.

English is used to competition after playing at Georgia where the toughest golf was the qualifying rounds just to reach the top five. He still hangs out with Ryuji Imada, Kevin Kisner and Brendon Todd on tour.

“There’s a bunch of Georgia guys out here that we can kind of lean on,” English said.