Scottie Scheffler came agonizingly close to etching his name in the PGA Tour record books once again, but a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at the Travelers Championship fell just short. According to Golf.com, this near-miss means Scheffler will have to wait to join Jim Furyk as the only players in PGA Tour history with two sub-60 rounds.
Scheffler’s 10-under 60 at the soft TPC River Highlands course left him at 16 under, two shots ahead of Viktor Hovland, who also had a strong performance. Hovland needed to birdie the final two holes to match Scheffler’s feat but settled for a 61, tying his career best on tour.
The Near-Miss
Scheffler’s round was a masterclass in precision and control, but the final putt was the one that mattered most. As ESPN Golf reported, the 25-foot birdie attempt on the 18th green was the last hurdle between Scheffler and history. Despite the miss, Scheffler’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, especially given the favorable conditions in the morning.
“Going out this morning, you definitely had a feeling the conditions were going to be easier, so you need to go out there and try and take advantage of it,” Scheffler explained. “At the end of the day, I was very focused on just my execution out there. Who knows what the lead is going to be after today. I’ve put myself in position now this week. Go home, get some rest, and get ready for tomorrow.”
Akshay Bhatia also capitalized on the soft conditions, posting a 62. However, the day belonged to Scheffler and Hovland, who both demonstrated why they are among the top players in the world.
Historical Context
This isn’t the first time Scheffler has flirted with a sub-60 round. In his rookie season in 2020, he shot a 59 in the second round of The Northern Trust at the TPC Boston, another rain-softened course that featured low scoring. According to Sky Sports, Dustin Johnson was also in contention that day, being 11 under through 11 holes before settling for a 60.
Jim Furyk holds the distinction of having the only two sub-60 rounds in PGA Tour history. He shot his first 59 in the second round of the 2013 BMW Championship at Conway Farms outside Chicago, which included a bogey. Three years later, he set the PGA Tour record with a 58 in the final round of the Travelers Championship. Despite these historic performances, Furyk did not win either tournament.
Scheffler, who won the Travelers Championship two years ago and is coming off a tie for fourth in the U.S. Open, where he played in the final round, is well-positioned to challenge for the title this weekend. His last victory was at The American Express in the California desert, his first start of the year.
Analysis and Outlook
Scheffler’s near-miss at a second sub-60 round is a testament to his skill and the current form he is in. While the 25-foot putt may have been the difference between history and a solid performance, Scheffler’s 60 is still a remarkable achievement. The soft conditions at TPC River Highlands certainly played a role, but Scheffler’s execution was the key factor.
The leaderboard is tight, with Hovland just two shots behind. This sets up a thrilling weekend, especially given the challenging conditions expected in the afternoon. Scheffler’s experience and recent success make him a strong favorite, but Hovland and others will not go down without a fight.
What’s Next
Fans should keep a close eye on how the weather affects the course over the next few days. With Scheffler leading by two shots, the pressure will be on him to maintain his composure. Hovland, known for his consistency and mental strength, will look to close the gap. The Travelers Championship promises to deliver more high-quality golf, and Scheffler’s performance today has set the bar incredibly high.
