McCarthy, Keegan Bradley lead Travelers with new course record
Sports
Denny McCarthy set a 36-hole course record at TPC River Highlands with a 15-under 125.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Denny McCarthy set a 36-hole course record at TPC River Highlands with a 15-under 125, and Keegan Bradley matched that number several hours later to tie McCarthy for the second-round lead at the Travelers Championship on Friday in Cromwell, Conn.
McCarthy followed Thursday afternoon's red-hot round of 60 with a 5-under 65 on Friday morning. He recovered from a bogey on the par-4 second hole, his first and only bogey of the tournament, with six birdies, five on the back nine.
"It's nice, but golf tournaments aren't 36 holes unfortunately, so I know there is still a lot of golf left," said McCarthy, who ranked second in the field in both strokes gained: tee to green and strokes gained: putting. "I'm playing some really nice golf, so I'm looking forward to having fun this weekend and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Then it was Bradley's turn. After an opening 62, he used a run of five straight birdies on the back nine Friday for a 7-under 63 to get to 15 under for the week. Bradley's successful birdie putts included a 58-footer at No. 3, a 34 1/2-footer at No. 12 and a left-to-right 15 1/2-footer at No. 15.
They held a three-shot lead over Chez Reavie, who stood at 6 under for the day and 12 under for the event with three holes left to go while some rain affected the Hartford area late Friday afternoon. Eric Cole (64-65) was in fourth at 11 under.
Australia's Adam Scott -- who, like McCarthy, was on 59 watch Thursday afternoon before signing for a 62 -- shot a 68 Friday and is tied for fifth at 10 under with Zac Blair (65-65).
