LIV Golf star Uihlein smashes Foxhills course record to take charge – Golf News
American Peter Uihlein shot one of the rounds of his life today, a course record 10-under-par 61, to advance to the middle stage of the International Series England – played at Fohills Club & Resort, Surrey.
His round, which consisted of an eagle, nine birdies and one bogey, was a remarkable 10 shots better than his first round and saw him move to 10-under in the US$2million event.
The LIV Golf star leads by one from Belgium’s Thomas Pieters – his RangeGoats GC teammate in the LIV Golf League and joint first-round leader – and England’s Robert Dinwiddie.
Pieters carded a 69, while Dinwiddie – one of six players to qualify for the event’s 18-hole playoff – carded a 66 on the Longcross course.
BLAND IN THE FINGER
American Caleb Surratt was shot behind after carding a 66, while England’s Richard Bland was a stroke behind, following a 69, and India’s Karandeep Kochhar, who shot a 67.
Uihlein finished joint third at this year’s Saudi Open presented by the PIF to record his best finish on the Asian Tour, where he made his debut in 2012, and he will have a chance to go one better this weekend.
He will be hoping to repeat the shot as his approach on the par-four 13thth he does not hold the eagle.
“I just hit a lot of holes, I have a lot of eagle chips and I’m just comfortable up and down,” Uihlein said.
“I drove it well on some of the key par fives, and the driveable holes, and I kept it between the trees, which is what you have to do.
“I put something unbelievable. I put it well, very well. I made a lot of par putts like six, seven, eight, big par putts to keep the round going when I was a couple early, so that was good.”
He beat the previous record by two shots, with a birdie on 18th allowing him to take the lead at the end of the day.
Pieters said: “I played like yesterday, I couldn’t make enough putts. I struggled over the green. I’m still very happy. I thought it was tough this morning. I’m in good shape.”
Pieters’ most recent victory came at the 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship while he came close to a seventh DP World Tour victory earlier this season when he finished second at the Soudal Open.
“I play aggressively, I hit many drivers,” added the 32-year-old woman.
“I’m like knocking them down with my driver. I hope I can continue to do the same. I didn’t play golf last week; I took a week off. Sometimes it’s good to refresh the mind; thoughts of swinging are gone. Just get up there and hit it.”
He carded four birdies and two bogeys.
England’s Dinwiddie’s performance is highly commendable given that he was one of three players to make it through the eight-man qualifier.
The spirit he showed that day was also seen today as he made seven birds and two dogs.
“Well, look, I’m very happy to be under nine that’s for sure,” said the 41-year-old.
“It was placed incredibly well yesterday, it didn’t hit the ball well. I hit the ball better today and continued to putt well from 10-15 yards. But you know, anyway, I haven’t hit the ball that well, surprisingly, the last few days.
“But maybe I didn’t get myself into a crazy problem, then I’ve put what I’ve been prepared for. So, I’m really happy. I’m hoping to maybe hit the ball a little bit over the next few days and see what happens.”
AMAZING GRACE
The Englishman turned pro in 2006 and has won three times on the Challenge Tour, twice in 2007 and 2010.
South Africa’s Branden Grace fired a 65 and is four behind the leader, along with Korea’s Seungtaek Lee, with a 70.
India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, the oldest player on the field at 53, rolled back the years with a 68 and is a further back.
Canada’s Richard T. Lee, who started the day joint leader with Pieters, shot a 74 and is 4 under.
American John Catlin, who currently leads the Asian Tour and International Series Rankings, shot a 72 and is two under for the tournament.
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