Rose: Somebody will shoot 62 here for new Major low
JUST over two weeks after Phil Mickelson lipped out for a 62 at The Open, Justin Rose insisted that a new Major record was possible at the US PGA Championship.
Rose was out early yesterday in the third round at Baltusrol and posted a fine four- under 66, but he believed a really low score was out there.
Mickelson’s 63 in the first round at Royal Troon was the 28th time we have seen that in a Major, but Rose believes a 62 could be achieved in New Jersey.
The Englishman was celebrating his 36th birthday yesterday having just made the cut at two over, and his round didn’t get off to the best start with a bogey at the opening hole.
However, that was the only blemish of his day’s work as he quickly picked up back-to-back birdies at the third and the fourth before he finished with a flourish.
Rose birdied the 15th and then took advantage of the final two holes – the only par-fives on the course – to pick up two more shots. And he certainly could reflect on a decent birthday on the course.
“The birthday present was last night, making the cut,” he said.
“When I tapped in to finish my round I felt like I was going to make the cut but as the day went on I felt I was going to miss it and we sweated it.
“It was one of the tightest cuts I’ve seen, incredibly close, but I was very happy to be out here today and I made the most of it, which was fun.
“I’ve just got a vague feeling there might be a 62. I’m not saying it’s that easy, but anyone who gets under par through the first six or seven holes, it’s on.
“The course is there for the taking and the back nine is full of chances.
“I actually didn’t play that well to be honest and putted unbelievably well, which was so much fun.
“It’s what I’ve been working hard on and today was one of the first days I’ve really seen a great deal of progress.”
Rose’s score was then bettered by both Padraig Harrington and American Kevin Kisner, who each posted 65s.
Harrington rolled back the years as he took advantage of the benign early morning conditions at Baltusrol.
It is eight years since Harrington won the US PGA for the third of his three Majors and there have been some lean times since then.
But the 44-year-old reminded everyone of his enduring class with a flawless bogey-free third round.
After two rollercoaster days had seen him open with 71- 70, all the mistakes were eliminated as he produced five bird-
ies and not a single dropped shot.
By the time he finished, Harrington had climbed more than 50 places up the leaderboard to sneak into the top 10.
Kisner matched that score shortly afterwards and moved one above the Irishman thanks to a late run of three birdies in the last four holes to end his round at five-under.
That was just four shots behind halfway leaders Jimmy Walker and Robert Streb, who were yet to tee off in their third round when play was suspended just before 2.15pm local time due to a weather warning because of the threat of thunder and lightning.