Scottie Scheffler takes a one shot lead into the weekend at The Sentry
Scottie Scheffler started with an opening round of seven under at The Sentry. Scheffler started his second round two shots behind the lead. The first three holes at Kapalua are extremely difficult and Scheffler dropped a shot at the second hole after missing a three foot putt for par. 2022 Masters champion bounced back immediately as he achieved a birdie at the Third hole.
Hole five is the first scoring opportunity at Kapalua with it been a reachable par five. The stroke average on day two for the fifth hole was 4.1. Scheffler rolled in an impressive 25 foot eagle putt to reach two under for the round. Scheffler made short work of the par four sixth hole as he got up and down for a birdie to play two holes in three under.
The seventh at Kapalua is a 533 yard par four but plays extremely downhill and Scheffler’s drive went past Sam Burns who was playing in the group ahead of him. Scheffler was happy to achieve a par at the eight hole as it’s a tricky 199 yard par three. The Ninth at Kapalua is a reachable par five but Scheffler missed the fairway with his tee shot. The American played an incredible shot from 224 yards which ended up short of the green. Scheffler achieved a birdie at the ninth to shoot a front nine of 32.
Scheffler had two good chances for birdie at both the 10th and 11th hole which he failed to take advantage of. On day one Scheffler was on the green with his drive at the 12th hole where as on day two he had 112 yards for his second shot. Scheffler capitalised on a good second shot as he held his birdie putt at the 12th hole. The 13th at Kapalua played downwind and Scheffler made it two birdies in a row after an excellent up & down. The final five holes at Kapalua gives you plenty of good scoring opportunities which includes two par fives and a reachable par four. The 14th played 295 yards and Scheffler reached 14 under after making three birdies in a row.
Scheffler missed the fairway at the par five 15th hole and the American had 62 yards for his third shot. Scheffler’s shot was incredible and he tied the lead on 15 under after rolling in a birdie putt. Scheffler started working with Phil Kenyan in 2023 and his putting has improved most noticeable when the American won Hero World Challenge before Christmas. Scheffler’s confidence with the putter continued to grow as he rolled in two exceptional par saves at the 16th and 17th hole.
The 18th hole at Kapalua is a 667 yard par five but is reachable in two shots due to fairways been dry. Scheffler had 276 yards for his second shot which came to rest at the front of green. Scheffler finished with a birdie after a sensational two putt. Scheffler shot nine under on day two to sign for a 64. World number one is on 16 under and at the top of the leaderboard after round two.