Keegan Bradley, Denny McCarthy share 36-hole lead of low-scoring Travelers Championship

Keegan Bradley and Denny McCarthy are going low this week, historically low. Their 15-under totals are the lowest opening 36-hole scores in Travelers Championship history since the event moved to TPC River Highlands in 1984. Now they have 36 holes remaining to see if they can keep it up.

Bradley’s fired opening rounds of 62-63, while McCarthy followed his Thursday 60 with a 65 on Friday.

Bradley ranks second in strokes gained: putting, having gained nearly five strokes on the field through two rounds. On Friday alone he made 173 feet, 7 inches worth of putts.

“I’ve been putting really well all year, especially lately, especially on bent grass greens,” said Bradley, a fan favorite this week having grown up in New England. “I was just reading them really good, and it was just — when you’re putting good everything feels easy and it’s automatic. It breaks a little this way, a little that way, and I just had that going today.”

Chez Reavie sits alone in third at 13 under — despite opening with 64-63 — with Eric Cole at 11 under and Zac Blair and Adam Scott both at 10 under.

Also chasing is Rory McIlroy, who shot 68 on Thursday but vaulted up the leaderboard with a 64 on Friday. He’s at eight under, the same as Xander Schauffele.

“Everything was just a little bit better today,” McIlroy said. “I played more solid, gave myself more opportunities, you know, eradicated most of the mistakes I made yesterday.”

Tee times for Saturday were pushed back due to weather, so groups will go off both tees beginning at 10:59 a.m. ET. The final threesome of McCarthy, Bradley and Reavie goes off at 1 p.m.

“I don’t know what it’s going to take, but it’s going to take some low scores, I know that, especially with rain coming in. Going to be softer,” Bradley said. “… I know I have to go out there and keep the pedal down and make a lot of birdies.”