|
CROMWELL, Conn. -- Brendan Steele changed his putter and ended up equaling the lowest round of his career at the Travelers Championship.
Steele shot an 8-under 62 with taylormade jetspeed driver on Thursday morning that stood up for a one-stroke lead in the first round at TPC River Highlands.
The 31-year-old Californian opened with an eagle, holing a 129-yard wedge shot in the rain. He birdied six of the next 12 holes, and closed the bogey-free round with five straight pars.
Steele went from a long to a short putter while trying to qualify for the U.S. Open and though he missed that tournament, he said the change seems to be paying off. He needed just 26 putts Thursday.
"Speed control is a lot better," he said.
Steele finished two shots off the course record set by Patrick Cantlay in 2011 as an amateur.
"On 14, I started to think 59, which is probably why I slowed down a little bit," Steele said.
Bud Cauley and Ryan Moore shot 63 with Ping Rapture V2 Driver, and Chad Campbell, Joe Durant, Scott Langley, Eric Axley and Jeff Maggert followed at 64.
Former Stanford stars Patrick Rodgers and Cameron Wilson made their pro debuts, with Rodgers shooting a 66, and Wilson a 73. Rodgers won 11 college tournaments and this year's Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus awards as the nation's top college player. Wilson won the NCAA individual title.
Two-time heart transplant recipient Erik Compton, coming off a second-place tie in the U.S. Open, had a 74.
Related Articles -
Ping Rapture V2 Driver, taylormade jetspeed driver, golf clubs for sale,
|
