J.J. Henry sets red-hot pace in Vegas with a 60
American sets course record with two lengthy putts at the final two holes for a birdie-eagle finish on a day of low scoring
American J.J. Henry took advantage of soft greens and near-perfect scoring conditions to fire a sizzling 11-under-par 60 in the opening round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.
With barely a breath of wind in the high Nevada desert, Henry sank two lengthy putts to finish birdie-eagle for a course record at the TPC Summerlin and seize a one-shot lead over Argentina’s Andres Romero, who recorded two eagles.
Americans James Driscoll, Jonathan Byrd and Jeff Overton opened with 63s while former US Open champion Webb Simpson carded a 64 as more than half the field dipped under par at a PGA Tour event known for low scoring.
Henry, however, commanded the spotlight in the second event of the PGA Tour’s 2013-14 season as he scorched his back nine in seven-under 28 after starting the round at the par-four 10th.
Having reached the turn in four under, he birdied the second, fourth, fifth, sixth and par-three eighth, where he rolled in a 20-footer, to get to nine under for the round.
It was nice to make that putt on my last hole for a little eagle and make lunch taste that much better
He then signed off in style, draining a 55-foot putt for eagle from just off the green at the ninth before raising his putter high in celebration.