Charley Hoffman, who five years ago closed with a sizzling 62 to win at TPC Boston, made birdies on half his holes for an 8-under 63 that gave him a three-shot lead over Brendon de Jonge after 36 holes.
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McIlroy missed The Barclays last week, but did reclaim his title as the world’s No. 1 ranked golfer after Jordan Spieth missed the cut in Edison, N.J.
In the 2010 Deutsche Bank Championship, Hoffman started the final round in fourth place, at 13 under, before leapfrogging leader Jason Day and others en route to his second career PGA Tour win. “I’ve just got to keep playing well and hope that I can get my name there, at the top of the world rankings”.
Masters and US Open champion Spieth himself described his current funk as being like a bad dream, although having had so much success this year one could suggest it is more like a nightmare.
“I am going to take some time away”. Out of 98 players in the field at the Deutsche Bank, Spieth ranked 96th in strokes gained putting, losing a total of 4.4 strokes in his two rounds. His fifth shot was well past the hole, and he 2-putted for a double-bogey 7.
“I have spent the last two weeks examining every angle and every possible solution and I have spoken with Rory and his team, as well as independent medical advisers and some prominent players”, European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said. He got up-and-down from a bunker and made a birdie for a 74, making it with one shot to spare.
“I had really bad self talk this week, something I hadn’t experienced in quite awhile”, Spieth said.
The 26-year-old says he is feeling comfortable after his time on the sidelines from an injury picked up during a game of football with friends. This time, he still has two more rounds before the Labor Day finish.
Scotland’s Russell Knox (65) scored seven birdies in a blistering round, leaving him tied for seventh with Sean O’Hair (67) and Henrik Stenson (68).
Belgian amputee Ced Lescut, who plays with a prosthetic right leg following a motorcycle accident, placed last in his European Tour debut on 38 over but finished with a birdie.
Slattery was delighted to taste victory once again after a hard season. “I’m hitting it about as well as I did in the PGA and the Open but just not getting the same score. And, I tend to make a few more putts than average for me out here on these greens, which is nice”.
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“It’s just because of how I played (yesterday)”, de Jonge said.
