Adam Scott has blitzed his way into contention at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut after a wild 62 that featured 11 birdies, a bogey and a double bogey.
For 15 holes in the first round at TPC River Highlands, Scott was near flawless with 10 birdies and one bogey.
At the 17th, Scott hit his second shot in the water and took a drop. He went on to double-bogey the hole.
“[The approach shot] came up well short, so maybe got caught in [w heavy breeze], because the next shot with the same club went 15 yards further. So, yeah, I really don’t know,” Scott said.
After the double-bogey, Scott bounced back with 11th birdie for the round, draining a long range putt on the 18th, to sign for a hilariously colourful scorecard.
“It’s a shame, but it’s hard to be disappointed with 62,” Scott said with a laugh. At eight under par, Scott and Keegan Bradley sat two shots behind leader Denny McCarthy (60).
Scott said 59 never crossed his mind, although if was going to it would have been while he was lining up a 17-foot eagle putt at the short par-4 15th that would have taken him to 10 under with three to play at the par-70 River Highlands.
“No, I didn’t really [think about 59],” he said. “I was just trying to just keep doing what I was doing out there. I think if I made eagle on 15 [then shooting 59] was right on [track]. It was all going really nicely and I wasn’t thinking too much about anything today.” Scott
The last time Scott recalls having 11 birdies was the 2008 Qatar Masters, when he shot a final round 61 to win.
“I shot 11-under, I think that was 11 birdies that day,” Scott said. “It’s pretty fun”
Scott led the Australian contingent at the PGA Tour’s $20 million designated event, with Cameron Davis five under, Min Woo Lee four under and Lucas Herbert three under. Jason Day finished day one at one over.
Min Woo Lee’s unusual reason for loving the USA
It can be difficult for a young, foreign golfer playing on the PGA Tour. Especially one who finds himself suddenly playing a heavy US schedule like Lee is after accepting special temporary membership last month. But it turns out that it’s a different kind of membership that’s making the Aussie’s life much, much easier.
Coming off his first top 10 in a major at the US Open, Lee continued his strong play with an opening 66 at the Travelers Championship. And after, this world traveller disclosed the key to him adjusting to being on the road so much.
“I love America, so it’s nice and easy,” Lee said. “If you want something, it’s Amazon Prime right there, you get it in a day.”
Somewhere, Jeff Bezos is smiling. And somewhere, Min Woo Lee is adding to his cart.
“It’s nice and convenient,” Lee continued. “It’s always nice to play in America, and getting fan base over here it’s awesome. Even at 7, 6:45 in the morning there were guys screaming – well, not screaming but shouting my name and slogans, so it’s awesome, and hopefully I can keep it going.”
Good stuff, Min Woo. And in case you don’t know, that Amazon Prime membership comes with Prime Video and some pretty good shows.
Who are we kidding? Min Woo definitely knows about Prime Video. He’s probably finishing up the final season of “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel” as we speak. Well, that and ordering more stuff.
–Additional reporting, Alex Myers
