TPC River Highlands, CT …
Former champ Russell Knox celebrated a belated birthday with a blistering 64 on day two of the Travelers Championship at Cromwell, Connecticut.
Knox failed to blow-out the candles in not managing a single birdie in turning 33 on Thursday and signing for a shock three-over 73.
But the 2016 Travelers winner lit-up the TPC River Highlands course on day two of the $US 7m event with seven birdies and jump over 100 places and head to the clubhouse sharing 30th place on three-under par.
He said: “I had no birthday birdies yesterday and I just don’t know as I played one terrible hole on the par-5, and then the drivable hole there 15, hit it in the water.
“But today was good. I had a good feeling about today, if I just kept playing the same way I have been, I’d make some birdies, and I did.
“It was a perfect day. There was a little breeze to keep you honest, but this course is always easier in the morning.
“I struck the ball nice, and of course I holed some putts too, which I holed a couple of big par putts there just after making the turn that kept things going and made a couple nice birdies.
“So, I’m happy with that.”
Knox played the opening two rounds in the company of defending Travelers champ, Jordan Spieth who went from sharing the day one lead with a 63 to shoot a day two 73 that included driving OB at his fourth hole.
And Rory McIlroy found his patience again tested in posting a frustrating 69 and heading straight to the range after just two birdies and one bogey.
A mirror of his round was the sight of McIlroy leaning over in disbelief and grabbing the back of his ankles when his nine-foot birdie lipped-out.
He said: “I was patient out there today and could have easily got frustrated given I was not playing quite as well as I did yesterday.
“So, I stayed patient with it as mentally I felt pretty good and you need to do that when you don’t have your best stuff.”
No such concern for Scot Martin Laird and booking is place over the weekend with scores of 67 and 71.
American Brian Harman (64 & 66) was the early clubhouse leader at 10-under.
