How low could they go in Mexico?
Really, really low on Friday at the WGC-Mexico as the Chapultepec Golf Club was open for scoring — low, low scoring.
Bulked-up Bryson DeChambeau is the halfway leader thanks to an eight-under par 63. He got there thanks to a really, really hot putter. DeChambeau actually played faster, that happens when you make what seems like every putt you look at.
“To hit it like I did and putt it like I did was fun,” said DeChambeau, who is 11-under through 36.
But his 63 wasn’t the day’s best effort.
European Tour rising star Erik van Rooyen of South Africa tied Justin Thomas’ course record with a nine-under par 62. It was van Rooyen’s 30th birthday and he gave himself something to celebrate.
He’s 10-under, tied with Patrick Reed, who also shot 63. Reed came more into the wrong kind of spotlight this week when former CBS on-course commentator Peter Kostis revealed in a national podcast that he’s personally seen Reed improve his lie twice in tournament action that he (Kostis) covered.
Hideki Matsuyama shot 64 despite a bogey-bogey finish to his round. He’s tied at nine-under with Justin Thomas, who had it going early but cooled off late and finished with 66.
While a bunch of guys were going low, first round leader Rory McIlroy struggled but put up three birdies over his final five holes to finish eight-under and keep in touch with the leaders.
