Scottie Scheffer’s new hybrid putting style paid dividends again as he fired a bogey free 64 to take a two-shot lead into the weekend in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
Using the conventional grip from long range and “the claw” from 15 feet or closer, the world number one birdied seven of his first nine holes at Albany before cooling off with just one birdie on the back nine.
It was an ominous display from the man most likely to be named PGA TOUR Player of the Year after winning eight times around the world this season.
“I didn’t really have to make very many long birdie putts on the front nine,” Scheffler said after his blistering opening 29 in an eight-under par effort.
At 13-under, he leads by two shots from Akshay Bhatia and Justin Thomas, who was impressed by what he saw.
“I’m honestly surprised he only shot eight under,” playing partner Thomas said after shooting 67.
Scheffler, who missed only two fairways and two greens yesterday and ranks fifth for strokes gained putting overall, was not beating himself up for failing to capitalise on his hot front nine.
“Front nine just things were going my way, back nine maybe not as much,” the Texan said. “A couple shots could end up closer to the hole, a couple putts go in, just little things.”
He added: “No, I think in this game I think a lot of all y’all are looking for perfection out of us and I think today I shot eight-under on the golf course is not something I hang my head about.
“A lot of good things out there, clean card, bogey free, eight birdies. Overall I think I’m pretty pleased.”
Patience and good course management remain Scheffler’s watchwords.
“I think over the years here I’ve done a good job of kind of staying patient, waiting to get hot,” he said.
“There’s some opportunities out here on this golf course, but there’s also some severe punishment.
“For instance, the front nine today was a time where I got hot and was able to take advantage of it.”
Bhatia shot 66 to share second with Thomas while US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley sits alone in fourth, four shots behind Scheffler after a 67.
Scheffler’s 64 was the best round of the day, one shot better than Tom Kim, who shot 65 to move up to tenth in the 20-man field on five-under.