No one expected Taylor Pendrith in the second round of the Bermuda Butterfield Championship on Friday in Southampton, but the Canadian handed his career best card to the PGA Tour in addition to setting a tournament record.
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After recovering a score of 70 (-1) the day before, Pendrith exploded, hitting the ball only 61 times (-10) to take the lead in the event. The 30-year-old golfer’s previous single-round record was 65.
“I haven’t played a lot of golf in the past two weeks because I got married,” Pendrith said in an interview with The Royal Gazette after his round. I wasn’t sure what my game would look like at this tournament. ”
The Ontarian started the second day on the 10e pennant and notably wedged an eagle at 17e hole. On the back nine, Pendrith concluded with a bang by cutting a par six on six occasions.
At -11 after 36 holes, the Canadian is one step ahead of American Patrick Rodgers, who also gained valuable ranks playing 64 (-7) on Friday. His compatriot Vincent Whaley follows behind at -9.
“I felt very calm all day and obviously I was only trying to get into the best position possible. It was a dream start, ”said Pendrith, who was only trying to survive the appalling conditions the day before.
“Today [vendredi], it was easier on the greens without the wind, so that gave me confidence, ”he added.
Among the other representatives of the maple leaf in the running, Adam Hadwin is the one who has progressed the most (46e, +28) with a score of 66 (-5) on this second day. Adam Svensson is also in good shape, he who handed in a second consecutive card of 68 (-3). He occupies 10th place along with six other golfers.
David Hearn, who played 72 (+1), is the only other Canadian who avoided the cut set on par, by virtue of his -1 total. Matt Hill and Nick Taylor, meanwhile, will not be making the weekend rounds.
