BMW Championship: Hideki Matsuyama breaks course record, takes lead

Thomas Lott

•
BMW Championship: Hideki Matsuyama breaks course record, takes lead image

Hideki Matsuyama could do no wrong Friday.

The No. 32 ranked golfer in the world shot a course record 63 at Medinah No. 3 to take a one-shot lead at 12 under after two rounds at the BMW Championship.

The second round of the playoffs is a great time to shoot a course record and Matsuyama did it with next to flawless putting at a course that has been around since 1923.

When his day was done, Matsuyama shot a bogey-free round that featured 165 feet, eight inches of putts.

“I wish I knew why I putted so well today,” Matsuyama said through his translator, via the PGA Tour website. “But I was happy that a lot of them went in. As they went in, you start gaining more confidence and as your confidence builds, more putts go in, too.”

Matsuyama made a career-high five putts outside of 15 feet on the day including one from 28 feet, six inches on the opening hole.

This was just his day and a statement after Justin Thomas and Jason Kokrak tied the course record of 65 just one day before.

Speaking of Thomas and Kokrak, the two players had very different days. Thomas followed up his course-record performance with a solid 69 to finish at 10 under through two rounds and two shots back of Matsuyama in sole possession of fourth.

As for Kokrak, he was unable to follow up his Round 1 showing as he shot a disappointing 1-over 73. He sits at 6 under and in a tie for 21st.

Two men sit tied for second at 11 under in Patrick Cantlay and Tony Finau. Finau's 6-under 66 was tied for the third best round of the day.

 

Thomas Lott