Dufner ties major scoring record with 63 at PGA
PITTSFORD, N.Y — Jason Dufner matched a major championship scoring record with a 7-under 63 in the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday.
Dufner had a golden chance at history, sticking his second shot within 12 feet of the flag on the tough closing hole at Oak Hill. But, realizing the significance of his round for the first time all day, he left the putt 18 inches shy of the cup.
The next one barely made it, dropping in on the last roll to give Dufner a share of history.
"I showed a little bit of nerves there, leaving it short," he said. "That's one where you'd like to gun it when you have a chance at history. But I was able to two-putt and share a little bit of history."
Dufner became the 12th player to shoot 63 in the PGA Championship. Steve Stricker was the most recent to do it, in the opening round two years ago at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
Overall, it is the 26th time a player has shot 63 in a major. It has been done at all four of golf's biggest events.
"The history of the game is something dear to my heart," Dufner said. "To be part of history, to be there forever, is a neat accomplishment. I never thought a guy from Cleveland, Ohio, would be able to do the type of things I've been able to do."
Dufner is best known — on the course, at least — for squandering a four-shot lead with four holes remaining at the 2011 PGA. He lost to Keegan Bradley in a playoff.
The laid-back Dufner gained even more fame this year when a photo emerged of him slumped against a wall, his arms straight at his side, during an appearance in a school classroom. Fans took the Internet to post pictures of themselves in various states of "Dufnering."
Dufner got on a roll when he holed out from the fairway for an eagle on the second hole. He made five more birdies in his bogey-free round, which left him with a two-stroke lead as he walked to the clubhouse. He was at 9-under 131 midway through the tournament, tying the 36-hole PGA scoring record held by six other players. Shingo Katayama and David Toms were the last to do it, at the 2001 PGA in Atlanta.
Matt Kuchar shot 66 and Adam Scott 68, leaving them tied at 7 under among players who had finished. Jim Furyk, who was tied with Scott for the lead after the opening round, was at 8 under but still had two holes to play.