Kelly finishes on top of leaderboard after a sizzling 62
July 7th, 2012 by cstarkCBS’ coverage of the PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic has started.
Within the first five minutes, the cameras caught Troy Kelly curling in a 6-footer or so for a birdie on No. 16. The putt left him at 7-under for the day and 11-under for the tournament, a stroke ahead of his nearest competitors.
Commentary Nick Faldo noted that Kelly’s biggest payday on tour has been $16,140. If he could hang on and win this weekend, he’d win $1,098,000.
“How’s he going to feel this weekend? … I can’t even put my finger on how to deal with that,” Faldo said.
“You don’t think about it,” said CBS’ Jim Nantz.
Of course, there’s still a lot of golf left.
Kelly’s now playing the 616-yard No. 17. The finishing hole is a short par-3.
Kelly finished birdie, par for a 62.
The 8-under round is his best on tour and leaves him at 12 under with a two-stroke lead. That could change, but it looks like he has a pretty good chance of playing in the final threesome on Sunday.
Also: In an earlier post, I referred to Kelly as being 34 years old. He’s 33, but it won’t be long before he celebrates his 34th birthday. Troy turns 34 on Aug. 2. He’ll be playing in the Reno-Tahoe Open that weekend.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
July 7th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Didn’t Troy shoot a 63 or 64 in the U.S. Open a few years ago, which was either 7 or 8 under par?
July 7th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Joe,
Troy shot 5-under 67 in the second round of the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. It tied for low round of the day but wasn’t good enough to make the cut because of a first-round 83.
Troy, who now lives in LaQuinta, Calif., drops into the lows 60s on a regular basis during practice rounds at the Plantation and other courses in the Palm Springs area. And he’s had some low numbers on tour, but nothing like his 8-under 62.
July 7th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
I believe it was on beautiful Pebble Beach that he shot the 67, yet missed the cut. That was when I got interested in this local talent , and have been following him ever since. How exciting for a kid from Silverdale, ( I wish they would get that right, he is not from Tacoma) to be in contention for a PGA tour win. The dedication to get it done, fighting through hip problems that would retire most anyone else is indicative of the drive this guy has. Im sure alot of us will be glued to the tv tomorrow. And ,what is equally intriging is the fact that brother Ryan is on the bag. Bob kelly must be one proud papa. Win or lose,, what an accomplishment,, good luck and well done.
July 7th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
It was Pinehurst, not Pebble Beach. You can check out Troy’s career highlights by cutting and pasting this into your browser.
http://www.pgatour.com/golfers/028308/troy-kelly/media-guide/
And, yes, I know Bob’s proud, as are Troy’s many friends in the Silverdale/Bremerton area. I think Kelly’s 19th Hole will probably turn into tournament headquarters tomorrow. It’s on CBS at noon. Troy tees off at 10:50 a.m. PST, playing with Webb Simpson in the final twosome.