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Dufner turns soft day into a historic one at PGA Championship

Jason Dufner tied the lowest score that has ever been shot in a major championship by firing a 63.

Jason Dufner celebrates after a birdie on the 11th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Jason Dufner watches his tee shot on the 16th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Jason Dufner hits from the fairway on the 14th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Jason Dufner lines up a putt on the eighth hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Jason Dufner hits from the fairway on the eighth hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Adam Scott, of Australia, attempts a long put on 17 during the second round of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, N.Y., Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Buffalo News, Derek Gee)

Adam Scott reacts to a missed putt on 17th during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, N.Y., Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Buffalo News, Derek Gee)

Jim Furyk hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Jim Furyk waits to putt on the forth hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Justin Rose, of England, hits his tee shot on the 15th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Associated Press

Justin Rose, of England, watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club on Friday in Pittsford, N.Y.

Tiger Woods reacts to a putt on the eighth hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the 13th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Tiger Woods stands on the 18th green during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Tiger Woods crouches on the 17th green during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, in Pittsford, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Check out this interactive graphic to test your knowledge of PGA Championship history, see a hole-by-hole look at the Oak Hill Country Club course, and browse a timeline of major moments from past tournaments.

PGA Championship

Pittsford, N.Y. — Friday’s second-round results from the event at Oak Hill Country Club, East Course (7,163 yards, par 70).

Jason Dufner 68-63 — 131
Adam Scott 65-68 — 133
Matt Kuchar 67-66 — 133
Jim Furyk 65-68 — 133
Justin Rose 68-66 — 134
Henrik Stenson 68-66 — 134
Robert Garrigus 67-68 — 135
Steve Stricker 68-67 — 135
Webb Simpson 72-64 — 136
Martin Kaymer 68-68 — 136
Charley Hoffman 69-67 — 136
Marcus Fraser 67-69 — 136
Sergio Garcia 69-68 — 137
Roberto Castro 68-69 — 137
Scott Piercy 67-71 — 138
Jason Day 67-71 — 138
Hunter Mahan 70-68 — 138
Rickie Fowler 70-68 — 138
Bill Haas 68-70 — 138
David Lynn 69-69 — 138
Jonas Blixt 68-70 — 138
Lee Westwood 66-73 — 139
Zach Johnson 69-70 — 139
Kiradech Aphibarnrat 68-71 — 139
Paul Casey 67-72 — 139
Michael Thompson 72-67 — 139
Graeme McDowell 70-69 — 139
Ryo Ishikawa 69-71 — 140
Tim Clark 69-71 — 140
Francesco Molinari 72-68 — 140
Miguel Angel Jimenez 68-72 — 140
Ryan Moore 69-71 — 140
Rory McIlroy 69-71 — 140
Chris Kirk 71-69 — 140
Marc Leishman 70-70 — 140
Hideki Matsuyama 72-68 — 140
David Toms 71-69 — 140
Matteo Manassero 72-69 — 141
Boo Weekley 72-69 — 141
Thongchai Jaidee 70-71 — 141
Ian Poulter 70-71 — 141
Marc Warren 74-67 — 141
Shane Lowry 71-70 — 141
Peter Hanson 72-69 — 141
Keegan Bradley 69-72 — 141
Tiger Woods 71-70 — 141
Thorbjorn Olesen 71-70 — 141
K.J. Choi 76-65 — 141
Scott Jamieson 69-72 — 141
Darren Clarke 69-73 — 142
Vijay Singh 70-72 — 142
Phil Mickelson 71-71 — 142
Brendon de Jonge 71-71 — 142
John Senden 72-70 — 142
Luke Guthrie 71-71 — 142
Josh Teater 71-71 — 142
David Hearn 66-76 — 142
J.J. Henry 71-71 — 142
Kevin Streelman 70-72 — 142
Brooks Koepka 71-72 — 143
Ken Duke 75-68 — 143
Danny Willett 73-70 — 143
Brandt Snedeker 70-73 — 143
Harris English 74-69 — 143
John Merrick 75-68 — 143
D.A. Points 73-70 — 143
Gary Woodland 73-70 — 143
Tommy Gainey 69-74 — 143
Ryan Palmer 73-70 — 143
Ben Curtis 73-70 — 143
Dustin Johnson 72-71 — 143
Rafael Cabrera-Bello 68-75 — 143
Stephen Gallacher 75-68 — 143
Scott Stallings 73-70 — 143
Matt Jones 72-71 — 143
Failed to qualify
Charles Howell III 71-73 — 144
Joost Luiten 71-73 — 144
Nicolas Colsaerts 71-73 — 144
Bubba Watson 70-74 — 144
Sang-Moon Bae 75-69 — 144
Woody Austin 69-75 — 144
Martin Laird 71-73 — 144
Chris Stroud 71-73 — 144
Charl Schwartzel 71-73 — 144
Paul Lawrie 72-72 — 144
Davis Love III 74-70 — 144
Branden Grace 71-73 — 144
Jimmy Walker 71-74 — 145
Luke Donald 71-74 — 145
Mikko Ilonen 73-72 — 145
David Muttitt 75-70 — 145
Marcel Siem 73-72 — 145
Rich Beem 71-74 — 145
David Lingmerth 74-71 — 145
Bernd Wiesberger 70-75 — 145
John Huh 72-74 — 146
Russell Henley 76-70 — 146
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano 74-72 — 146
Carl Pettersson 74-72 — 146
Graham DeLaet 70-76 — 146
Charlie Beljan 71-75 — 146
Ernie Els 74-72 — 146
Richard Sterne 72-74 — 146
Y.E. Yang 72-74 — 146
Stewart Cink 75-71 — 146
Jason Kokrak 74-72 — 146
Brett Rumford 70-77 — 147
Kevin Stadler 74-73 — 147
Richie Ramsay 72-75 — 147
Hiroyuki Fujita 71-76 — 147
Billy Horschel 69-78 — 147
Scott Brown 73-74 — 147
Padraig Harrington 76-71 — 147
Brian Gay 73-74 — 147
Peter Uihlein 77-70 — 147
Derek Ernst 72-76 — 148
Kohki Idoki 72-76 — 148
Geoff Ogilvy 74-74 — 148
Jordan Spieth 74-74 — 148
Matt Every 71-77 — 148
Jeff Sorenson 73-75 — 148
Alex Noren 76-73 — 149
JC Anderson 73-76 — 149
Tom Watson 73-77 — 150
Nick Watney 76-74 — 150
George Coetzee 74-76 — 150
Chris Wood 75-75 — 150
Pablo Larrazabal 76-74 — 150
David McNabb 74-76 — 150
Ryan Polzin 73-77 — 150
Jaco Van Zyl 74-76 — 150
Danny Balin 73-78 — 151
Kyle Stanley 73-78 — 151
Kevin Chappell 79-72 — 151
Rob Labritz 78-73 — 151
Bob Gaus 74-77 — 151
Thomas Bjorn 70-81 — 151
Caine Fitzgerald 75-76 — 151
Paul McGinley 78-74 — 152
Lucas Glover 76-76 — 152
Mike Small 76-76 — 152
Shaun Micheel 76-76 — 152
Freddie Jacobson 76-77 — 153
Mark Sheftic 75-78 — 153
Stuart Smith 78-75 — 153
Kirk Hanefeld 76-78 — 154
Bob Sowards 73-82 — 155
Jeff Martin 78-78 — 156
Rod Perry 78-78 — 156
Sonny Skinner 76-80 — 156
Mark Brown 77-82 — 159
Chip Sullivan 84-76 — 160
Lee Rhind 81-82 — 163
Jamie Donaldson 80-WD
Bo Van Pelt 80-WD
Angel Cabrera 80-NC

Doug Ferguson | Associated Press

Saturday, August 10, 2013

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Nothing was dull about the way Jason Dufner played golf Friday at the PGA Championship. If anything, it was historic.

Dufner holed out from the fairway for eagle, rolled in a putt across the green for par and kept making birdies until he stood 12 feet away from a shot at the lowest score in the 153 years of championship golf. One last birdie attempt didn’t even get to the hole, and Dufner had to settle for a record-tying round of 7-under 63.

“Probably the worst putt I hit of the day, which is a little disappointing,” Dufner said. “But all in all, it’s a 63, and name on top of the leaderboard. So that’s a great position to be playing from.”

It was the third time in the last seven years at the PGA Championship that a player had a putt at becoming the first player to shoot 62 in a major. Tiger Woods circled the hole at Southern Hills in 2007. Steve Stricker narrowly missed at Atlanta Athletic Club two years ago.

Dufner didn’t feel disappointed for long.

On a rain-softened Oak Hill, where pelt-sized divots were flying and birdies were falling, Dufner surged to a two-shot lead over Masters champion Adam Scott, Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar. At 9-under 131, Dufner tied the 36-hole record at the PGA Championship he now shares with six other players.

Dufner was alone at the top, and in the company of some big names in history.

His 63 broke the course record at Oak Hill held by Ben Hogan, Curtis Strange and Webb Simpson, who shot 64 about five hours earlier. Dufner became the 24th player to shoot 63 in a major — Greg Norman and Vijay Singh, both in the Hall of Fame, did it twice.

And through it all, he barely cracked a smile.

“He’s very calm,” said Stricker, who played alongside Dufner. “I’m sure he was churning on the inside. He just told me while we were signing our cards, he was like, ‘This is a lot for a Friday.’ ”

The possibilities were endless on a day that began with three hours of steady rain until the sun broke through and took all the bite out of Oak Hill.

Simpson also had a chance at 63 until he made a bogey on the 16th hole of his round. U.S. Open champion Justin Rose shot 29 on the front nine to get back into contention. When the second round finally ended, 27 players remained under par — this on a course that is stubborn when it comes to par. In five previous majors at Oak Hill, only nine players have finished the tournament in red numbers. Jack Nicklaus did it twice.

The cut was at 143, the lowest at the PGA Championship since 2001.

For all the low scores, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were left behind.

Woods couldn’t get anything going, exchanging birdies with bogeys during a poor putting round that led to an even-par 70. He was at 1-over 141 and 10 shots back going into the weekend. Woods went to the range with his swing coach, trying to find answers. He has only one score in the 60s in 14 rounds at the majors this year.

“Obviously, I’m going to have to put together a really good weekend,” Woods said.

Mickelson’s swing apparently went missing in the three weeks since he won the British Open. He was all over Oak Hill and still managed a 34 on the back nine until his wild shots caught up with him. Another 71 left him 11 shots out of the lead.

Dufner was in prime position to win the PGA Championship two years ago when he had a four-shot lead with four holes to play, only to be tracked down by Keegan Bradley and then beaten in a playoff. Dufner said that day he would only be disappointed “if I never get another chance.”

And here he is, in record fashion.

Dufner’s popularity has grown the past two years because of his zombie state. He was responsible for the craze known as “Dufnering” in April when someone took a photo of him slumped against a classroom wall, eyes in a daze, during a charity event at an elementary school as the teacher taught children how to relax and concentrate.

But there were nerves, no doubt, and Dufner showed them at the very end.

A 6-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole put him at 7 under for the round, and his 15-foot birdie putt on the next hole grazed the cup. He followed with two flawless swings on the tough 18th hole, which had yielded only four birdies at that point. That left him about 12 feet below the hole.

And he left it short by about 18 inches. There even was a nervous moment on the tap-in, when the ball came off the putter weakly and dived in the right corner of the cup.

“It’s tough when you’re chasing history,” Dufner said. “You will be the first one to do something. I don’t think I’ve been the first to do anything in my life. So it was a little nerve-racking for a Friday. It’s usually the pressure you might feel toward the end of the tournament.”

That part is still to come.

Low scores were available to anyone. Even after Dufner finished his round, K.J. Choi had an 18-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole to reach 7 under. It narrowly missed, and Choi made bogey on the next hole to end that threat.

Scott is swinging the club beautifully, and his only flaw Friday was not holing enough birdie chances when the rain stopped. Even so, he was in the hunt on the weekend for the fourth time in the last six majors. He will be in the final group with Dufner today.

Henrik Stenson, a runner-up at Muirfield, had a 66 and joined Rose at 6-under 134, only three shots behind. Stricker and Robert Garrigus were another shot behind.

Dufner is a student of golf history and was thrilled to be part of it. But while that 63 put him in the record book, it doesn’t guarantee the trophy. Of the 25 previous times that someone shot 63 in a major, only five players went on to win — Nicklaus and Johnny Miller in the U.S. Open, Norman in the British Open and Woods in the PGA Championship.

Saturday, September 14, 2013