Scottie Scheffler and Joaquin Niemann of Chile matched the 10-under-par 62 that Robby Shelton shot in the first round to tie him for the lead in A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier on the Old White TPC Course https://tpc.com › oldwhite at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
However, the day belonged to Kevin Chappell (pictured) of Fresno and UCLA.
The 33-year-old Chappell tied Mark Calcavecchia’s 10-year-old record of nine consecutive birdies and became the 10th player in PGA Tour history to shoot 59, falling one stroke short of Jim Furyk’s record of 58 when he missed an 11-foot birdie putt while finishing on the ninth hole.
“I just under-read that last putt a little,” said Chappell, who was playing for the first time in 10 months following back surgery. “I’m very proud of myself because 10 months ago I was sitting on my couch and couldn’t even walk. That gave me a lot of perspective about the game and my family.
“I got off to a great start and kept my foot on the gas. I had a good look at 58, but I’m happy with 59. I’m here to win the golf tournament and I have a couple of shots to make up on the weekend.”
Chappell, who is three shots behind in solo fifth, made a par after starting out on the 10th hole before reeling off his nine straight birdies, and added two more coming home on the front.
Scheffler, 23, making his first start as a member of the PGA Tour, birdied six of his first eight holes after also starting on the back nine, while the Niemann, 20, sank a 51-foot eagle putt on the 12th hole and added six birdies.
“I felt like I got off to a really good start, which definitely helps,” said Scheffler, who credited work on his putting after an opening 65 for his improvement on the greens. “Made a few nice putts at the beginning of the round and ball striking was really solid again today, so I had plenty of looks. Pretty stress-free so far.
“I made a little bit more room in my (putting) setup. I felt like my chest was a little taller and helps my arms fall a little bit more. It was a pretty simple fix. I just tried to keep hitting good shots and not over-think it. I feel like my ball striking has been good the last few days. I haven’t put myself in too many bad situations.”
Said Niemann: “I know this place well because I made my first start here after I got my (PGA Tour card in 2017). So it’s a pretty special place for me. I’m playing really good golf and I hope I can get my first win here.”
Shelton, 24, followed his opening 62 with a 65, making four birdies in a span of five holes through No. 15.
Adam Long posted yet another 62 with four birdies on each nine and is one stroke behind in solo third, followed by Chappell, whose only PGA Tour victory came in the 2017 Valero Texas Open.
Cameron Smith of Australia collected three birdies on each side in a 64 and is four down in a tie for sixth with Morgan Hoffman (65), Harris English (65), Harold Varner III (66), Sam Ryder (66) and Brian Harman (66).
Tenth-ranked Bryson DeChambeau of Clovis shot 70and missed the cut by two shots.
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 of Fresno and UCLA. The 33-year-old Chappell tied Mark Calcavecchia’s 10-year-old record of nine consecutive birdies and became the 10th player in PGA Tour history to shoot 59, falling one stroke short of Jim Furyk’s record of 58 when he missed an 11-foot birdie putt while finishing on the ninth hole. ){kind=link}