Denny McCarthy came tantalisingly close to a 59 but was happy to settle for a 10-under-par 60 to take the lead after a low-scoring first round of the Travelers Championship on Thursday in Cromwell, Conn.
McCarthy had nine birdies through 15 holes at TPC River Highlands, a par-70 course. Finishing his round on the front nine, he had pars at Nos. 7 and 8 before he nearly holed out for eagle at the par-4 ninth to hit the magic number. His approach shot bounced off a small hill next to the green, redirecting his ball straight toward the pin, where it grazed the edge of the hole.
McCarthy sank a 5-foot putt for birdie to wrap up his 60. He shot 30 on both nines.
The sparkling round left McCarthy a mere two strokes ahead of Keegan Bradley, who set the pace in the morning with a 62, and Australia's Adam Scott, who was also in range of a 59 late in the afternoon before a late double bogey.
The PGA Tour still hasn't seen a round of 59 since Scottie Scheffler's second round at the 2020 Northern Trust. Scheffler, the No 1 player in the world, is in fourth at the Travelers after a 7-under 63.
McCarthy, 30, has yet to win a PGA Tour event but lost a playoff to Viktor Hovland of Norway at the Memorial Tournament earlier this month.