Nick Taylor picked aside TPC Scottsdale throughout the first spherical of the WM Phoenix Open, principally attributable to a scorching sizzling putter.
He made 184 ft of putts, gaining seven strokes on the greens, as he carded an 11-under 60.
That spectacular mark ties the course document held partly by Phil Mickelson, who has shot 60 twice at TPC Scottsdale. He first did so in 2005, throughout the second spherical of the WM Phoenix Open. He then did it once more throughout the first spherical in 2013. Mickelson went on to win the WM Phoenix Open on each events.
Grant Waite and Mark Calcavecchia additionally share this document: they shot 60 in 1996 and 2001, respectively. Humorous sufficient, Mickelson gained in 1996, whereas Calcavecchia prevailed in 2001.
Taylor’s 11-under rating gave him a five-shot lead by 18 holes. The five-shot lead tied Jim Gallagher Jr. for the biggest 18-hole lead in a stroke play occasion, per the PGA Tour’s official communications. Gallagher Jr. held a five-shot lead after the opening spherical of the 1993 Tour Championship.
“It felt like I used to be seeing the traces nice. The velocity was superior,” Taylor mentioned after the spherical.
“I don’t know what to say. I’ve most likely by no means putted that effectively. Yeah, I noticed the traces nice, and it was a continuation of final night time. I began on 16, which was good, and making a putt there and seeing it go in was good.”
The Canadian holed a 9-footer for birdie on the well-known sixteenth, a lot to the delight of the early morning crowd.
He went on to make seven extra birdies over his ultimate 11 holes.
“I drove it nice, ball in hand, and was hitting my irons good, and I basically made each putt I checked out,” Taylor added.
“It was a day that you just didn’t need it to finish.”
Fortunately for Taylor, his day at TPC Scottsdale is way from over.
Due to the 3-hour, 30-minute delay on Thursday, half the sphere—together with Taylor—couldn’t full their rounds earlier than sunset. As such, the second wave needed to end their rounds on Friday, however not earlier than frost additional delayed the motion by one other two hours.
Consequently, the second wave—initially slated to begin early Friday—needed to flip round and head again out for one more 18 holes. So, Taylor had roughly half-hour between when he putted out on the ninth inexperienced and when he wanted to be on the primary tee to begin his second spherical.
“It’s clearly a reasonably fast turnaround, however while you’re enjoying effectively, you need to hold enjoying, so it’s a superb factor,” Taylor mentioned.
Hopefully, for his sake, the Canadian can hold the recent streak going.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. Make sure you try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
