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Scottie Scheffler, in the leading, equaled the tournament record that he has already shared with one by 62 of eight sub62 to take an early advance in the second round of the PGA Houston Open.
The 28-year-old American made eight birdies in his second round without Bogey to seize the advance of the clubhouse at 11-mine of 129 for 36 holes at the Memorial Park.
“It was pretty good,” said Scheffler. “Hit a lot of fairways there, I gave myself a lot of looks. I rushed a good amount of putts, pressed a few long, which is always pleasant.”
Taylor Pendrith of Canada finished second out of 10-mine of 130 after a second 65 with American Jackson Suber third out of 132 after finishing his second 66 before Lightning stops playing with afternoon players on the course.
Scheffler and Countryman Tony Finau each fired the 62 course record at the Memorial Park, Scheffler also in the second round in 2021 and finuu in the second round in 2022 and 2024.
The Americans Ron Streck and Fred Funk both recorded the 62s when the tournament took place in the Woodlands.
Scheffler, whose nine victories last year included a second Masters green jacket and an Olympic gold medal, had not been without Bogey through 36 holes from the American Express 2023 tournament.
“It was a quick turnaround,” said Scheffler. “It’s always like that when you go late and yes, it was good to keep a clean card again today. It’s always good to keep the momentum in turn.”
The 62 was the lowest PGA Tour in Scheffler from a 62 end of the World Technology Championship in 2022.
– ‘good momentum’ –
In its latest development for the masters next month, Scheffler started the 10th tee and sank a 10-foot sipt and then sorted the 11th by 3 just beyond 26 feet.
“It was nice to take a good start and keep the momentum and keep a clean card,” said Scheffler.
“The first hole, I struck a good road in the fairway and I had a good look for Birdie. It was a kind of delicate reading and I read correctly.
“In the next hole, struck a good iron shot, had about 25 feet and it is every time you see one of these. It was a good momentum to start the day.”
Scheffler sank steep putts just inside six feet in the 16th par-5 and just inside five feet in the 17th by 4 and then sliced the par-3 second of just inside 30 feet.
He closed strong with Birdie putts just inside 12 feet in the fifth, 22 feet in the seventh par-3 and a little more than 13 feet in the eighth by 5.
“Today, it was a day when I had the impression that my ball jump could have been a little better and I was able to draw putts,” said Scheffler.
“I struck a lot of green vegetables, but I felt like my irons were barely distant, and I felt like I could have hit them a little closer to the hole, but overall, I kept it on green, I gave myself.
“The way I put it, I didn’t think I had to force them there by many pins if I was not completely comfortable with it, so good results.”
JS / BB
