Dufner’s 2nd 65 earns big Memorial edge
DUBLIN, Ohio — Jason Dufner wanted to put together more than just a few good rounds this week at the Memorial. The first two put him in the record book.
Dufner holed out from 176 yards on the 18th hole for an eagle and then added three more birdies on the front nine at Muirfield Village for another 7-under 65, giving him the 36-hole scoring record at the Memorial and a five-shot lead going into the weekend.
He was at 14-under 130, one shot better than the record previously held by Rickie Fowler (2010) and Scott Hoch (1987). Neither wound up winning the tournament.
Daniel Summerhays made bogey on his last hole and shot 69 to finish five shots behind Dufner. Fowler (66) was another shot behind.
Jordan Spieth was one shot out of the lead after the opening round. He already was eight shots back when he teed off, and all he managed was a 72. Spieth and Justin Thomas (71) were tied for fourth and eight shots behind.
“Duf is obviously in full control of the ball tee to green, and you've got to be making some putts, too,” Spieth said. “He had two fantastic days. He's a major champion and a multiple PGA Tour winner; he's going to be a tough guy to chase down. But again, playing with the lead on this golf course I imagine is going to be difficult.”
Dustin Johnson, the world's No. 1 player, won't have to chase him. Coming off a 78 — and his first round without a birdie in nearly four years — Johnson couldn't get anything going and shot 74 to miss the cut by five shots.
“I hate missing Johnson said. cuts,”
At least he had time on his side. Johnson was headed up to Wisconsin for the weekend to see Erin Hills for the first time.
His fiancee, Paulina Gretzky, is expecting their second child next week before he returns for his title defense in the U.S. Open.
Zach Johnson dug deep to make the cut on the number with four birdies on his last five holes. So did Tony Finau, who birdied his last three. They all have a long way to go to get to Dufner.
The shot that got the most attention was Dufner's 6-iron that he holed on No. 18 for his eagle.
With a back left pin, the shot fit what he was trying to do, and he said the bonus was that it found the bottom of the cup.
The key to his great play was his putting, something Dufner rarely says. When asked about it at Kapalua to start the year, Dufner said: “I've been putting bad for 17 years. It's tough to change.”
He managed with the help of a friend who sent him some research from a doctor who works with snipers in the Marines and how they focus primarily on their breathing and their heartbeats. Dufner found his worst trait in putting was not having a consistent routine and getting too fast, almost as if he wanted to get it over with quickly.
“I think the one thing that also helps is it gives me something to think about other than my stroke or holing this putt or the situation I'm in,” Dufner said. “Subconsciously, I'm just putting. But I'm more focused on my breathing.”
Fowler started the tournament with a triple bogey on his second hole and he was 3 over through four holes when he turned it around Thursday for a 70.
He was back out morning and shot 66. Friday
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Anna Nordqvist knows how to get around Stockton Seaview — and likes the view from atop the ShopRite LPGA Classic leaderboard. The two-time defending champion shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the 54-hole event near Atlantic City.
“It just really fits my eye,” Nordqvist said. “I have so many good memories here, obviously. It almost feels like home now with a lot of supporters and a lot of friends here.”
She's trying to join fellow Swede Annika Sorenstam as the only three-time winner.
MALMO, Sweden — Wales' Jamie Donaldson shot his second straight 4-under 69 on Friday to take a twostroke lead in the Nordea Masters. The three-time European Tour winner had five birdies and a bogey at Barseback.