Bradley, McCarthy break 36-hole Travelers mark

CROMWELL, Conn. — Keegan Bradley and Denny McCarthy shared the Vacationers Championship lead Friday at a tournament-record 15-under 125.

McCarthy adopted his first-round 60 with a 65 within the morning at TPC River Highlands. Just a few hours later, Bradley shot a 63 to go along with his opening 62.

At Reavie’sthe 2019 winner, was two strokes again after a 63. Eric Cole had a 65 to get to 11 below.

McCarthy and Bradley broke the 36-hole mark of 14 below set by Justin Rose in 2010 and matched final yr by Xander Schauffele in his run to the title.

“It is good, however golf tournaments aren’t 36 holes sadly,” McCarthy mentioned. “I do know there’s nonetheless numerous golf left and I am taking part in some very nice golf, so I am trying ahead to having enjoyable this weekend.”

The 30-year-old from Maryland began slowly, bogeying the second gap. However that was the one blemish on a spherical that included six birdies, 5 on the again 9.

McCarthy, who misplaced in a playoff on the Memorial this month, is attempting to develop into the 18th participant to choose up his first PGA Tour victory in Connecticut. Ken Duke was the final in 2013.

Bradley additionally had a blistering again 9, making 5 birdies in a row between the twelfth and sixteenth holes. He had just below 174 ft of made putts and after each large make, he held his putter in entrance of him with two fingers and bowed earlier than handing it to his caddie.

“We simply pay our respects,” mentioned the Vermont native, who holed a few 60-footer on No. 3 for his first birdie Friday. “If the putter is working, we’ll do no matter simply to maintain it going. We simply bow and say, ‘Thanks.'”

Cole is the son of former tour gamers Laura Baugh and Bobby Cole. His father performed River Highlands simply as soon as professionally, ending fiftieth in 1987, however his son did not get to see that.

“I used to be born in ’88, so it will’ve been earlier than me,” the youthful Cole mentioned.

Rory McIlroy was tied for tenth at 8 below after a 64. He had a double bogey on the par-3 eighth, the opening he aced Thursday for his first hole-in-one on the PGA Tour. This time, McIlroy put his tee shot within the water.

“I hit a fairly good shot, I simply misjudged the wind somewhat bit and it got here up brief within the one place you could not miss as we speak,” he mentioned. “However, aside from that, it was a very good spherical of golf.”

McIlroy received a break on his final gap when his tee shot landed on a cable trench behind a tree on the ninth gap. He was given aid by a event official, however hit a limb on his strategy shot, which nonetheless landed simply wanting the inexperienced, the place he managed to rise up and down for par.

Schauffele additionally was 8 below after a 64. Prime-ranked Scottie Scheffler reached 7 below with a 70.

Wyndham Clarkthe U.S. Open champion Sunday in Los Angeles who arrived right here Wednesday, had a 67 to get to five below. He spent the primary a part of the week in New York, showing on quite a few speak exhibits.

A lightweight rain left the greens smooth, serving to preserve the scores low. The minimize line was at 4 below, with Masters champion Jon Rahm dropping out with spherical of 67 and 71.

On Saturday, with heavy rain anticipated within the morning, the gamers will begin at 10:45 a.m. in threesomes off each Nos. 1 and 10.