Amateur Cantlay shoots 60 to lead at Travelers

Associated Press

CROMWELL, CONN.

Nineteen-year-old Patrick Cantlay has insisted he has no intention of leaving UCLA early to join the PGA Tour.

But the low amateur last week in the U.S. Open softened his stance just a little Friday after shooting a course-record 10-under 60 — the lowest PGA Tour round ever by an amateur — to take a four-stroke lead in the Travelers Championship.

“I’m going to stay amateur definitely for the Walker Cup [in September], and my plan is to stay amateur until I finish college,” he said.

Taking advantage of preferred lies at soggy TPC River Highlands, Cantlay tied the tournament record set by Tommy Bolt in 1954.

Cantlay birdied the final two holes to reach 13 under. After shooting a 67 on Friday morning in the rain-delayed first round, he had eight birdies and an eagle in the afternoon. It was his second eagle of the day on the par-5 13th.

He said he had no idea that he was setting an amateur record.

“I knew where I was. I knew I needed to make eagle on 18 for 59,” he said. “It’s tough to hole it from 152.”

But he came close. His approach landed just above the hole and rolled back to just over 2 feet below the pin.

“I thought it had a chance, it was covering the flag pretty good,” he said. “It takes some luck.”

D.J. Trahan (62), Webb Simpson (65) Alexandre Rocha (66) and Vaughn Taylor (66) were tied for second along with Andres Romero who had completed five holes when play was suspended because of darkness just after 8 p.m. Seventy-seven players are scheduled to complete the second round today.

Players had perfect scoring conditions Friday with rain-softened greens and little wind. And because of the wet conditions, players were allowed to lift, clean and place their golf balls hit in the fairway, another big advantage.