Score of World Hero Challenge 2021: DeChambeau leads Koepka, Finau, Morikawa one shot after Round 2

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) – This holiday event in the Bahamas means more to Bryson DeChambeau looking for a small measure of revenge and to Collin Morikawa pursuing a higher goal than rising to the top. 1 world.

A week after being whipped in Las Vegas by Brooks Koepka during their televised match, DeChambeau made five birdies in the first six holes in the first leg at Albany and overcame a late double bogey from a wild track. 8 under 64. That’s good for a lead shot coming over the weekend at the World of Heroes Challenge.

Of course, the group with a shot behind included Koepka, who hit a 12-foot par on the final hole for the 67th consecutive second.

They won’t be in the final group on Saturday, though DeChambeau seems interested in that opportunity. “That was great,” he told Golf Channel.

Koepka shrugged and said, “I’ve proven everything.”

Morikawa, new to and not one of the minor fights, made a strong move in the rear nine with the birdie-birdie-Eagle sequence until falling victim to a tough match 18 , play into a strong wind. His magic led to the number 66, but he came to the right place.

“Just have that motivation for tomorrow,” he said.

A win in front of this 20-man field is the only way Morikawa can be crowned world No. 1, and it’s only a week before Jon Rahm – not competing this week – is predicted to return to the top based on both. – rolling year formula.

Not to be missed is Tony Finau, who seems to be on for most of the week. He made one of only two birdies on the 18th, landing a 15-foot lap for 66 to end a return shot.

Daniel Berger also made a birdie on the 18th and missed by two shots.

DeChambeau’s big miss on the 16th resulted in a brace, and he responded with a tee shot 3 feet above par-3 17 to continue his lead. He’s 11 years old under 133.

DeChambeau, who spoke on a 30-minute conference call last week while attempting to promote his televised match against Koepka, has reverted to his routine of only giving online interviews. tournament included.

His big run started with a birdie on the sixth par-5, and the only hole he didn’t birdie the next hour was the par-3 12. He nearly hit the green on par- 4 14 could approach and break when it rolled off a steep incline and into a fountain, slowing the ball’s momentum and leaving him with a simple up and down hit.

He finished with the league’s low score, and Sam Burns wasn’t too far behind with 65 putting him in the mix at 8 under 136, alongside Tyrrell Hatton (67).

Rory McIlroy couldn’t keep up. He was on the lead until a brace on the 14th. He hit back a pair of birdies, only to drop a shot on the 18th for 71. McIlroy, second win in his last three starts, coming back four times alongside Viktor Hovland (69) and Patrick Reed (69).

Reed and McIlroy will play together. Their most famous pairing was the Ryder Cup singles match at Hazeltine which Reed won, and the more important pairing two years later in the final round of masters, which Reed also won.

Morikawa and DeChambeau present a stark contrast in their game and personalities. DeChambeau is all about bulk, speed and power. Morikawa favors a steady attack, especially with his iron. In an age of power, the two-time major champion has gotten used to looking at the long ball without being overly nervous.

“There’s not a single type of golf that wins every tournament here, is there?” Morikawa said. “Look, Bryson is changing the game and he’s doing what he thinks will help and I’m doing what I think will help. I think when it comes down to it, who’s going to put the ball in. hole with the least number of strokes? And we’re all trying to figure that out.”

Koepka is making strides in that department.

The four-time major champion was sidelined again due to knee surgery shortly before the Masters, and shortly after winning the Phoenix Open. He missed consecutive cuts in the fall before winning over DeChambeau in a 12-hole match (which lasted only 9 holes). And while this is an unofficial event, Koepka is at least starting to see results.

“The past two months, it’s been continuously sharpened,” he said. “But every day, I find something. I’m super active.”

Copyright 2021 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and the Associated Press is strictly prohibited.