CROMWELL, Conn. — Xander Schauffele landed a fairway shot just under 10 feet from hole 17 at TPC River Highlands Friday. He tapped in the putt on his next stroke, recording his seventh and final birdie. His second round at the Travelers Championship was nearly complete.
His 7-under par 63 was identical to his score Thursday, combining to tie Justin Rose’s 2010 tournament record of 126 through 36 holes. At 14-under-par, his lead is five strokes heading into the weekend, tying the tournament record for largest 36-hole lead. Schauffele shares that mark with Tommy Bolt and Gene Littler, who did it 1954 and 1959, respectively. Both went on to win the tournament,
That lead, however, wasn’t granted until world No. 2 Rory McIlroy hit a speed bump. He started Friday with six birdies and a bogey through his first 11 holes. At 13-under he was pulling away from the pack. Fast.
