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US PGA 2013: Leader Jason Dufner equals majors record with 63

None-superstar’s superstar two clear of the Oak Hill field

Kevin Garside
Saturday 10 August 2013 18:50 BST
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Jason Dufner reacts after missing his putt on the 17th green
Jason Dufner reacts after missing his putt on the 17th green

He is the anti-hero’s anti-hero, the none-superstar’s superstar. The punters love him and he is leader of the US PGA Championship. Come on down Jason Dufner.

The citizen of Alabama, whose identity is rooted in his country boy demeanour and deadpan delivery, is two clear of the Oak Hill field on nine under par, his 131 aggregate the lowest in the history of this event.

His second round 63 set a new course record for Oak Hill and equalled the lowest score in a major. His 15-footer for birdie at the last would have taken him into unprecedented territory with a 62 had it dropped. Perhaps he is saving that for today.

“It was a great day for me, a good day to get out there and score. To shoot 63 in a major is pretty unbelievable and to be leading a major even better. Hopefully it will propel me to a great weekend,” he said.

Dufner might have won this event two years ago in Atlanta, succumbing to a late charge from Keegan Bradley and edged in a play-off. The late afternoon galleries deserted Tiger Woods in their droves as the message spread on the bush telegraph that Dufner was on a roll.

“I’m like everybody else but I can just hide it (excitement) a little bit better. In my head I was just trying to get further and further from the field, trying to make birdies, but it is tough when you are chasing history. I have a little bit more experience than I had two years ago. If I hit it better in Atlanta but scored better here. I’m excited to be in the lead and looking forward to maybe closing that lead out.”

Poor old Tiger. When the course softened by the weight of heavy morning rain offered itself up he was either unable or unwilling to get after it. Webb Simpson shot a 64, Justin Rose and Matt Kuchar weighed in with 66s. Red numbers were routine yet Woods laboured in the best of the conditions to a 70 that flattered him.

He has still to break par in six major rounds at this place and begins the third round today ten off the lead on one over par. That 15th major is a remote possibility at best, unless he locates his mojo sharpish.

Kuchar is one of three leading the chase on seven under par alongside joint overnight leaders Adam Scott and Jim Furyk. Then comes Rose, the highest placed Briton, and Open runner-up Henrik Stenson.

He is the anti-hero’s anti-hero, the none-superstar’s superstar. The punters love him and he is leader of the US PGA Championship. Come on down Jason Dufner. The citizen of Alabama, whose identity is rooted in his country boy demeanour and deadpan delivery, is two clear of the Oak Hill field on nine under par, his 131 aggregate the lowest in the history of this event.

His second round 63 set a new course record for Oak Hill and equalled the lowest score in a major. His 15-footer for birdie at the last would have taken him into unprecedented territory with a 62 had it dropped. Perhaps he is saving that for today.

“It was a great day for me, a good day to get out there and score. To shoot 63 in a major is pretty unbelievable and to be leading a major even better. Hopefully it will propel me to a great weekend,” he said.

Dufner might have won this event two years ago in Atlanta, succumbing to a late charge from Keegan Bradley and edged in a play-off. The late afternoon galleries deserted Tiger Woods in their droves as the message spread on the bush telegraph that Dufner was on a roll.

“I’m like everybody else but I can just hide it (excitement) a little bit better. In my head I was just trying to get further and further from the field, trying to make birdies, but it is tough when you are chasing history. I have a little bit more experience than I had two years ago. If I hit it better in Atlanta but scored better here. I’m excited to be in the lead and looking forward to maybe closing that lead out.”

Poor old Tiger. When the course softened by the weight of heavy morning rain offered itself up he was either unable or unwilling to get after it. Webb Simpson shot a 64, Justin Rose and Matt Kuchar weighed in with 66s. Red numbers were routine yet Woods laboured in the best of the conditions to a 70 that flattered him.

He has still to break par in six major rounds at this place and begins the third round today ten off the lead on one over par. That 15th major is a remote possibility at best, unless he locates his mojo sharpish.

Kuchar is one of three leading the chase on seven under par alongside joint overnight leaders Adam Scott and Jim Furyk. Then comes Rose, the highest placed Briton, and Open runner-up Henrik Stenson.

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