Brain and brawn propel Dechambeau to top

Clubhouse leader Bryson Dechambeau equalled the season’s lowest score at the BMW Championship and was attempting to post the 13th sub-60 score in PGA Tour history. Photo: The Hindu
Clubhouse leader Bryson Dechambeau equalled the season’s lowest score at the BMW Championship and was attempting to post the 13th sub-60 score in PGA Tour history. Photo: The Hindu

American muscleman Bryson DeChambeau blitzed the Caves Valley Golf Club with a stunning 12-under 60 for the solo second round clubhouse lead at the BMW Championship on Friday.

DeChambeau, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, equalled the season’s lowest score and was attempting to post the 13th sub-60 score in Tour history. He also equalled his low 36-hole score on Tour (128/2019 3M Open).

Also Read: Im Asia’s go-to man as race hots up in FedExCup Playoffs

 “A lot of putts went in. A lot of things went right. We got a lot of great numbers out of the rough today, and I played my butt off and never thought too much about anything until the last few holes, and I striped a 9-iron on 17, striped a drive, striped a wedge on 18 and just wasn’t able to clutch those putts up. But I stroked it pretty well today, and going to go work on that a little bit and make sure I’m hitting it down my lines for this weekend so I have myself a chance to win this weekend,” he said.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)

“I thought I hit it on the line (on 18). Just misread it. We played it two and a half, three inches out, and it clearly didn’t break that much, but I had good speed on it and I’ll go look afterwards and see if I pulled it or not and work on ways to mitigate that.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)

Dechambeau made par at the 18th hole during the second round, missing a 6-foot, 3-inch birdie putt and carding a 12-under 60.

Prior to missing the putt on No. 18, was 13-for-13 inside 10 feet (including 3-for-3 from 4-8 feet) during the round.

The 60 marks his career-low score on TOUR (previous: 62, twice; most recent: R1/2020 Shriners Children’s Open).

He equalled the season’s lowest score (60: James Hahn/R3/Barbasol Championship, Cameron Smith/R3/THE NORTHERN TRUST).

He is seeking to become the first three-time winner this season (2020 U.S. Open, 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard); is one of six multiple winners.

Patrick Cantlay marked seventh round of 63 or better (60/2011 Travelers Championship/R2, 61/2021 The American Express/R4, 62/2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am/R1, 63/2018 Shriners Children’s Open/R3, 2019 Shriners Children’s Open/R3, 2020 Shriners Children’s Open/R1, 2021 BMW Championship/R2).

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)

Jon Rahm, a six-time Tour winner, including the 2021 U.S. Open; has never successfully defended a title.

His last four starts on Tour: WD/the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (led by six strokes after 54 holes and was forced to withdraw), Won/U.S. Open, T3/The Open Championship, 3/THE NORTHERN TRUST.

Has one career win in the FedExCup Playoffs (2020 BMW Championship).

Rahm leads the Tour in top-10 finishes this season with 13.

PGA Tour

Also Read: Aditi lurks as amateur Wallin steals the thunder