Moving up: Molder, Johnson make up ground with rounds of 61
If you aren't going low at Waialae Country Club, you're going in the wrong direction on the leaderboard.
The course is producing low scores at the Sony Open thanks to soft greens, little wind, and fairways that are firm, allowing the ball to run out.
Two players in particular, Bryce Molder and Zach Johnson, improved their positions Friday when they both carded rounds of 61.
Johnson made two birdies and an eagle on his outward nine, and came home with five more birdies to rise 72 spots.
How do you shoot 61?
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 14, 2017
With shots like this.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/NP5eaJfE3f
Meanwhile, Molder, who began his round Thursday with bogeys on five of his first six, made nine birdies and nine pars to jump nearly 120 spots.
First six holes of the tournament: (+5)
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 13, 2017
Last 30 holes: (-12)
Not quite a 59, but a 61 is still pretty solid for Bryce Molder. pic.twitter.com/sGU8CQ3d5Q
| Stats | Z. Johnson | B. Molder |
|---|---|---|
| Score | -9 | -9 |
| Total | 61 | 61 |
| Eagles | 1 | 0 |
| Birdies | 7 | 9 |
| Pars | 10 | 9 |
| Fairways hit | 8/14 | 7/14 |
| Greens hit | 15/18 | 14/18 |
| Putts per GIR | 1.467 | 1.5 |
Johnson and Molder weren't the only players in the morning wave to post a good number. Chad Campbell shot a 62, while three others finished with rounds of 64, including Justin Rose. Only 18 players from the early groups shot 70 or worse.