Scottie Scheffler, the world's top-ranked golfer, delivered a spectacular performance at the Travelers Championship on Friday, carding a 10-under-par 60 to seize a commanding lead after the second round. His remarkable display at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, propelled him to 16 under par for the tournament, two strokes ahead of his nearest competitor.
The American’s round was highlighted by an impressive 11 birdies, with only a single bogey blemishing an otherwise flawless scorecard. Scheffler had an opportunity to achieve the rare feat of a 59, a score he previously recorded in 2020, but a birdie putt from just over 26 feet on the 18th hole narrowly eluded him. Reflecting on his round, Scheffler commented, "It was a little tricky... It was a tough read, but overall it was a really solid day. I was pretty happy with my execution."
Norway's Viktor Hovland also produced an exceptional round, firing a bogey-free 61 that featured seven birdies and an eagle, placing him in sole possession of second place at 14 under par. Further down the leaderboard, American Akshay Bhatia and Eric Cole share third position at 12 under par. Bhatia matched his career-low round with a 62, while Cole posted a 65.
Several British golfers remain in contention. England's Matt Fitzpatrick is well-placed at 10 under par, despite a couple of bogeys on his final three holes leading to a four-under 66. Compatriots Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood are a shot further back at nine under par. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre sits at eight under par, ensuring a strong European presence heading into the weekend.
Scheffler, a four-time major winner, acknowledged the challenge of maintaining his blistering pace. "Hard to keep up that pace, but continue to execute, continue to give myself looks," he stated, looking ahead to the remaining two rounds. The competition promises to be intense as players vie for position at this prestigious PGA Tour event.