GREENSBORO, N.C. — Joel Dahmen began his long-shot bid to make the PGA Tour post-season by closing with three straight birdies for a 9-under 61 on Thursday to match his profession greatest and provides him a one-shot lead over Alex Noren in the Wyndham Championship.
The Wyndham Championship is the ultimate event in the common season, with the highest 70 in the FedEx Cup advancing to the profitable post-season crammed with potential perks.
Dahmen is one hundred and first in the standings and would wish a runner-up end with not more than two different gamers to attain the FedEx Cup playoffs.
He was proud of the beginning — 10 birdies on a dry course at Sedgefield — and likewise life like about his probabilities of taking part in subsequent week in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
He has one victory and three runner-up finishes in 231 tournaments.
“I imply, I’ve had like three high 2s in my profession — I do not know, 4 of them, perhaps?” he mentioned. “I imply, it isn’t even a factor, proper? Yeah, nice to make the playoffs, that might be unbelievable, give me numerous day without work this fall. We’ve received a child coming so that might take some stress off of that.
“The playoffs are a bonus for me,” he mentioned. “I’m simply going to exit and take a look at to play good golf, and I suppose if I play very well, then I get to play one other week.”
Dahmen additionally shot 61 in the second spherical of the RSM Traditional in 2020.
Noren missed six months with a hamstring tear and may’t attain the post-season even with a win. The 4 gamers at 63 included Mark Hubbard, who’s at No. 98 and who additionally would wish a runner-up end to advance.
Hubbard was joined by Cameron Younger, defending champion Aaron Rai and Nico Echavarria, who at No. 65 wants to maintain his place.
“I believe t’s all about the way you take a look at it. For me I believe it sort of takes the stress off as a result of it’s actually laborious to try this and it’s not one thing that you just’re actually serious about,” Hubbard mentioned. “I’ve simply received to go play tremendous nicely and make a ton of birdies. If that occurs to fall into place that approach, then that’s nice.
“I believe it’s simpler than if I had to top-15 or top-10 as a result of that approach you’re at all times trying on the board … the place this week I’ve simply received to exit and play nearly as good as I can.”
Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott have totally different targets this week and wound up with the identical rating at 65. Spieth had 4 birdies over his final 5 holes. He’s set for the post-season at No. 50, however needs to assist take the stress off when he will get to Memphis, Tennessee.
The highest 50 after the primary playoff occasion not solely advance to the following week, they’re assured to get in all of the $20 million signature occasions. Spieth missed out final yr, then had wrist surgical procedure, and had to ask for exemptions into the signature occasions.
Scott, nevertheless, is at No. 85 and would wish no less than third place to attain the post-season.
“I am going to want to get like 20 beneath to consider something, so I higher not be 1 beneath by way of day one or I’m going to depart myself numerous work,” Scott mentioned. “So good to make a number of birdies. And naturally as a lot as I take into consideration transferring on, I’d like to win this event.”
Additionally at stake this week is the primary FedEx Cup bonus pool — $10 million to the factors chief (Scottie Scheffler) and $4 million for second place (Rory McIlroy), which they each have wrapped up.
Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley is at No. 10 and would choose up $500,000 if he can keep there. Bradley bogeyed his final two holes for a 68.
He performed with Ben Griffin (67) and Andrew Novak (68), who each have Ryder Cup hopes.
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