Cole held a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler and five others Thursday on Thursday.
Wyndham Clark found the gallery a lot kinder and the course a lot softer than when he won his second US Open last week at Shinnecock Hills. His only battle was with the 12th hole when he put his tee shot out of play and made triple bogey in his round of 68.
"They were finally rooting for me instead of against me, so we like the Connecticut fans," Clark said.
Scheffler, who hasn't won since his first start of the year in January, at least got off to a good start. He played bogey-free in an efficient round of 64 that left him one shot behind along with Matt Fitzpatrick, Ben Griffin, Nico Echavarria, Bud Cauley and Kristoffer Reitan.
Cole had to withdraw from the final round a year ago - he was 10 shots behind, in the middle of the pack - with what he described as a nasty stomach bug. He has Addison's Disease in which the body doesn't produce enough hormones to handle stress and blood pressure. It was bad enough for him to spend a night in the hospital.
"I'm not sure if it's redemption, but I'm happy to be here and feeling good," Cole said.
His only disappointment was missing an eight-foot birdie putt on the final hole of a pleasant day that followed steady rain earlier in the week that softened the course.
Cole seized on the opportunity, particularly on the 13th hole. His second shot was just right of the green, and he pitched it on the right line with perfect speed to hole it for eagle.
"From 13 in is really where you can kind of score," he said.
Min Woo Lee was the best of the Australian contingent, his two-under 68 leaving him in a tie for 32nd.
Lee posted four birdies but a double-bogey on the 12th pegged him back.
The world No.39 is one better than Jason Day, as only 11 players in the 72-man field failed to break par in the final signature event of the regular season on the PGA Tour.
One of those players was Adam Scott, who made a one-over 71.
with AAP
