Daniel Berger was 2015 Rookie of the Year, but he’s even better this season.
Berger posted a 3-under-par 67 and was tied for the lead with Marc Leishman of Australia, Tyrone Van Aswegen of South Africa and Russell Henley midway through the Travelers Championship at breezy TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.
Berger, who is bidding to make the U.S. Ryder Cup team, bounced back from his only bogey on the third hole before playing the last 15 holes in a bogey-free 4-under.
“(The Ryder Cup) is my primary goal right now but I just have to take care of business the next couple weeks,” said Berger, who claimed his first PGA Tour victory in June at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
“I played pretty well, especially with the wind blowing. It pretty much came up out of nowhere, but I handled it pretty well. I’m a lot more confident (after winning) and I have to keep doing the right things to be right there on the weekend.”
Leishman sank a three-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 68, Van Aswegen earned his share of the lead with a bogey-free 66, while Henley birdied three of the last eight holes while finishing a bogey-free 65 on the back nine.
“Just taking care of business and just trying to play well,” said Van Aswegen, who won twice on the Sunshine Tour and captured the 2009 Long Beach Open, but never has won on the PGA Tour.
“That’s all I can do. I can’t think of winning. I think you’ll be overwhelmed if you do that.”
Patrick Rodgers of Stanford had three birdies in five holes on the back nine in a 66 and was one stroke back in a tie for fifth with Russell Knox of Scotland and Robert Garrigus, who both finished at 66, and first-round leader Jerry Kelly, who shot 70.
Matt Kuchar carded a 67 and was four shots back in a tie for 16th, one stroke better than his U.S. Olympic teammates Bubba Watson (70), the defending champion, and Patrick Reed (67), who were in a tie for 24th.
