Australians stay in touch in lucrative Travelers Championship
Adam Scott – file photo courtesy of PGA of America
Australian golfers are well placed at the halfway mark of the Travelers Championship in Hartford Connecticut, Adam Scott tied for 5th while Min Woo Lee and Lucas Herbert are another shot back and in a share of 7th place.
Admittedly, the leaders Denny McCarthy and Keegan Bradley are some five shots ahead of Scott but all three Australians are well enough place to make their presence felt over the final 36 holes in this US$20 million designated event on the PGA Tour.
Scott was unable to replicate the brilliance of his opening round 62 but a 2 under 68 kept him in touch.
“Yeah, I mean, bit of a slow day compared to yesterday,” said Scott. “Still was 68. You know, wasn’t quite firing on all cylinders. Missed a few fairways, missed a few greens, and missed a few putts that looked pretty good. Just didn’t really get the momentum going. But, you know, hopefully that’s my slow day for the week.
“I think there is something where obviously it’s not as penal as a U.S. Open and it gives you a little freedom. I don’t know, you give yourself a break and after a week of not aiming at a pin you can aim at a pin, and that can sometimes spark good things. There is no doubt U.S. Opens are demanding. Nice to come back and make birdies.
“I mean, if I can just erase a little missed cut at the U.S. Open out, I had three top 10s in my last four events; everything was looking pretty good. Through two days here still feels pretty good. I would like to keep this going and keep notching up the results and try and make a big run the next few weeks into the Playoffs and get amongst it.”
Lee is taking advantage of the new status he has on the PGA Tour and after thinking he might not make this field, his top ten at last week’s US Open was the catalyst for him gaining a start here.
Lee had his thoughts on the efforts of the Australians to date.
“I think I guess we thrive off each other. Scotty is obviously one of the best ball strikers so it’s going to suit him — any course is going to suit him — but it really highlights iron play, and he’s obviously really good at that. Not sure what Cam finished up on, but, yeah, he’s played well, too. It’s good to see. I think he’s had a rough couple weeks, so nice to see him on the leaderboard.”
Herbert’s round of 64 was highlighted by an outward nine of 30 on a day where one of his original playing partners was forced to withdraw leaving him playing in a two ball with Nick Hardy.
“I mean, I found a little something with my putter yesterday morning before the round,” said Herbert.
“That’s really helped. I’ve putted great the last two days. To be honest, I didn’t have a lot of confidence in my game. Literally out here trying to enjoy myself a bit. Yeah, feel like it’s been a bit of a rough stretch the last few weeks. Just feeling a bit defeated on the course. So I know I’ve been doing the right things and just trying to enjoy myself out there and probably not take it too seriously.”
Herbert has not played well in the US this season but there was one highlight when winning in Japan.
“Yeah, it’s kind of a tale of like two different tours. I’m playing great in Europe and had a garbage season on the PGA TOUR. Just didn’t got the results that I wanted. Haven’t been able to capitalize on results when I got myself into a decent position to do that.
“Yeah, just I’m 150 odd on the FedExCup and not even close to where I want to be. It’s, yeah, been tough to sort of deal with that and just managing my emotions and expectations. But it’s just a new challenge of the PGA TOUR.
“This is my second full season on the PGA TOUR, so it’s just a new challenge of figuring out how to play out here, how to beat these guys, play these golf courses better than them. And, yeah, I think when I do get better results it’s going to feel even better because I have gone through this struggle.”
Given the money available this week where even a top 10 is worth more then US$500,000 a good weekend for Herbert could change his season completely.
Jason Day and Cameron Davis also made the cut but are back in 41st position at 5 under and tens hots from the lead.
