Scheffler’s 59 leaves him 2 back at Northern Trust
NORTON, Mass. — Scottie Scheffler shot a 59 for the 12th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history to close to within two strokes of leader Dustin Johnson after the second round of the Northern Trust tournament at TPC Boston.
Johnson shot a 60, had a two-shot lead, and it almost felt as though condolences were in order.
“I’m pretty happy with it,” Johnson said. “Pretty happy with my position leading into the weekend.”
Johnson was at 15-under 127, two shots ahead of Scheffler and Cameron Davis (66). Scheffler finished with two putts from across the 18th green for his 12th birdie, knocking in his last putt from 4 feet.
“You don’t really get a putt for 59 often, so I was quite nervous over the putt, but that’s nothing new,” said Scheffler, a University of Texas product. “I get nervous over every shot. That’s just playing competitive golf.”
Not since the John Deere Classic in 2010 have two players had 60 or lower on the same day. That contributed to Tiger Woods feeling irritated by his pedestrian 71 that allowed him to make the cut on the number and left him 12 shots back.
The FedEx Cup playoffs ended for those who missed the cut and won’t advance to the BMW Championship, including Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth. In other golf news:
• Dani Holmqvist shot a 1-under 70 in windy conditions to be the only player under par after 36 holes of the Women’s British Open at Troon, Scotland.
Lying two strokes behind Holmqvist at 1 over par are former No. 1 Lydia Ko (71) and No. 8-ranked Minjee Lee, who shot 69.
• Shane Bertsch eagled the first hole of a four-man playoff to win the Charles Schwab Series at Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge at Ridgedale, Mo.
Kenny Perry lost a one-stroke lead on the par-5 18th, making a bogey after driving left into deep rough under trees, to fall into the playoff with Bertsch, Bernhard Langer and Glen Day.