CROMWELL, Conn. — Scottie Scheffler missed a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th gap on the Vacationers Championship on Friday, lacking out on an opportunity to affix Jim Furyk as the one two-time sub-60 rounder in PGA Tour historical past.
Scheffler needed to accept a 10-under 60 on the tender TPC River Highlands course, setting an early objective to the highest of the scoreboard on a day that featured extraordinarily low scores within the ultimate common season spotlight occasion.
“Going out yesterday afternoon, as soon as the greens are agency and the wind begins to blow, it may well get troublesome shortly,” Scheffler mentioned. “Going out this morning, it undoubtedly felt just like the situations have been going to get simpler, so we simply must exit and make the most of the state of affairs.”
Scheffler was 16-under 124, two strokes behind Viktor Hovland.
“On the finish of the day, all I used to be centered on was my execution on the scene,” Scheffler mentioned. “You by no means know what the lead will likely be after at the moment. I’ve already positioned myself this week. Let’s go dwelling, relaxation and be prepared for tomorrow.”
Hovland, who was taking part in in a bunch of three forward of Scheffler, wanted birdies on the ultimate two holes for a 59. He made two pars and shot a 61, tying his tour profession finest.
“It was definitely extra out there at the moment than it was yesterday,” Hovland mentioned.
Akshay Bhatia shot a 62 to tie first-round chief Eric Cole at 12 beneath.
“I understand how this golf course performs,” Bhatia mentioned. “I must preserve making birdies and decrease my errors.”
Cole parred the ultimate eight holes for a 65.
“Perhaps he is simply drained or has a drained swing,” Cole mentioned.
Matt Fitzpatrick, Bud Corey and Ben Griffin every shot a 66 to tie for fifth place at 10 beneath.
Throughout Scheffler’s 2020 rookie season, he shot 59 pictures within the second spherical of the Northern Belief at TPC Boston, one other low rating on a rain-softened course. Dustin Johnson was 11 beneath by way of 11 holes that day and needed to accept a 60.
“Some days it is hanging on the sting and it is exhausting to get into, and different days it is on the backside of the cup,” Scheffler mentioned. “At this time was undoubtedly a day the place a lot of the gamers have been discovering the underside of their cup.”
Furyk shot his first sub-60 within the second spherical of the 2013 BMW Championship at Conway Farms exterior Chicago, capturing a 59 with one bogey. Three years later, he shot a 58 within the ultimate spherical of the Vacationers Championship, setting a PGA Tour report.
Furyk didn’t win both event.
“I used to be like, ‘It could be nice to hit 59, however somebody’s already shot 58 right here, so it isn’t even a course report,'” Scheffler mentioned.
Scheffler, who received the Vacationers Championship two years in the past, entered the ultimate spherical of the U.S. Open and began tied for fourth. His final win was the American Categorical within the California desert, his first begin of the 12 months.
Scheffler bogeyed the par-4 second, leaving his wedge from the green too brief and lacking an 8-foot par attempt.
