Keegan Bradley shot a 10-under-par 60 on Thursday for a course record even with consecutive bogeys during his opening round at the Byron Nelson golf championship.
Bradley was seven-under in his last eight holes, including an eagle at the par-5 seventh before back-to-back birdies to end his round. The 60 included 10 birdies and the eagle.
Bradley had no thoughts of a course record or a possible 59 after the bogeys – until his wedge shot on his final hole.
“It was going right at it. (A 59) crossed my mind for a second, and it would be unbelievable if I buried this,” Bradley said. “But I had three feet to shoot 60. I was actually very nervous, uncomfortable over it and thank God I made it.”
The 60 matched the lowest round at the Nelson, but was the first at the TPC Four Seasons course. Arron Oberholser shot 60 in 2006 and Sam Snead in 1957.
Bradley topped his career PGA Tour best by three strokes and equalled Phil Mickelson’s opening 60 at Phoenix as the best tour round this season.
“It was rare to match up a ball-striking day and make everything. … it happened today,” Bradley said. “The hole looked huge. Even the putts I missed almost went in.”
Bradley has a three-stroke lead over 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.
Robert Karlsson, Harris English and Ted Potter Jr all had 64s in the morning rounds, which came after heavy overnight rain. Players were able to lift, clean and place balls on fairways.
“Seems like you don’t get many of those opportunities, so being out here first was a bit of an advantage,” said Schwartzel. “So much rain, it softened up. Played long off the tee, but it’s a big advantage going into the greens with the second shot … You could attack flags.”
Five players have shot 59 in official PGA Tour events. Al Geiberger had the first in the 1977 Memphis Classic, while Paul Goydos and Australian Stuart Appleby had the last three years ago. Ryo Ishikawa had the lowest round on a major tour, shooting a 12-under 58 on the Japan Tour in 2010.
Defending Nelson champion Jason Dufner shot a 70 in a group with good friends Bradley and Matt Kuchar (69).
“It was a regular round with Duff and Kuch. It felt like a Saturday morning round with my buddies,” Bradley said. “It felt easy.”
Bradley earlier went into the locker room to find his clubs spread out on the floor and his open umbrella near his empty golf bag, courtesy of Dufner.
“He loves to mess with me,” said Bradley. “I’m too scared to do anything too much because I don’t know what he will do. He could throw my clubs in the water … I did remove something from his locker that he is going to have trouble finding and he’s going to need.”