Scottie Scheffler ties Houston Open record with 62 to grab lead
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World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler says his putting has been good as he took the second-round lead at the Houston Open.
PHOTO: AFP
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HOUSTON – Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler matched the tournament record he already shared with an eight-under 62 to grab the lead in the darkness-halted second round of the PGA Tour’s Houston Open on March 28.
The 28-year-old American had eight birdies in his second bogey-free round to seize the clubhouse lead at 11-under 129 for 36 holes at Memorial Park.
“It felt pretty good. Hit a lot of fairways out there, gave myself a lot of looks. I holed a good amount of putts, holed a few long ones, which is always nice,” Scheffler said.
Canada’s Taylor Pendrith was second in the clubhouse on 130 after back-to-back 65s.
Scheffler and countryman Tony Finau have both fired the course-record 62 at Memorial Park, Scheffler also in the 2021 second round and Finau in second rounds in 2022 and 2024.
Americans Ron Streck and Fred Funk both recorded 62s when the tournament was held at The Woodlands.
Lightning halted play in the afternoon for 2hr 8min, forcing play to be stopped at sunset.
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, in his final Masters tune-up, birdied three of the last four holes just before dusk for a 66 and stand on 136, one better than the projected cut line.
“Nice to finish the way I did. I hit it a little better coming in. I holed a couple of putts. That was it,” he said.
Scheffler, whose remarkable nine wins in 2024 included a second Masters and an Olympic gold medal, had not been bogey-free through 36 holes since the 2023 American Express tournament.
The 62 was his lowest PGA Tour round since a closing 62 at the 2022 World Wide Technology Championship.
He began off the 10th tee and sank a 10-foot birdie putt and then birdied the par-three 11th from just beyond 26 feet.
The American sank birdie putts from just inside six feet at the par-five 16th and just inside five feet at the par-four 17th and later birdied the par-three second from just inside 30 feet.
He closed strong with birdie putts from just inside 12 feet at the fifth, 22 feet at the par-three seventh and just over 13 feet at the par-five eighth.
“The way I was putting, I didn’t feel I had to force them there by many pins if I wasn’t totally comfortable with the shot, so good results,” Scheffler added.
Behind him, Pendrith took advantage of the damp conditions and holed six birdies, including four on his final eight.
The 33-year-old broke through for his first PGA Tour win last May at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The Houston Open has yet to have a winner from Canada. AFP, REUTERS
