Following the Presidents Cup, Taylor Pendrith took two weeks off, but he didn’t skip a beat. On Thursday, he blasted 10-under 61 to take an early three-shot lead in the Shriners Children’s Open, tying his career-low on the PGA TOUR.
At the TPC Summerlin, Pendrith only missed one green and one fairway on the same hole. On the 18th hole, he mishit his tee shot; on the 9th, he had to pitch out sideways and struck a wedge to 7 ft to rescue his par.
The remainder was primarily of good putting, several wedges, and large drives. His closing hole, the 9th par-5, was the only letdown. Knowing that an eagle would give him a 59, he had only made it 200 yards into the green.
“I tried to be aggressive and make a good shot, but failed to capture it completely and it ended up in the bunker.” Pendrith said.
He had a chance to tie the course record at TPC Summerlin, which was last established by Rod Pampling in 2017, but he missed the putt after blasting out to 12 feet.
Three years earlier, Pendrith shot a 61 in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship as well.
Among the early starters, Bud Cauley and Matti Schmid were two of seven players at 7-under 64. Matt McCarty, who played in the afternoon but was 1 over on his front 9, won the first Black Desert Championship in Utah last week.
Tom Kim, the two-time defending winner, also played late. He is attempting to become the first player to win the same PGA TOUR event 3 times in a row since Steve Stricker at the John Deere Classic (2009–11). Kim turned the corner at 1-over after battling back from being 3-over early in his round.
Ryan Moore, a former UNLV player, was one of those at 65, and Rickie Fowler scored 66. Playing with Pendrith seemed considerably higher.
After finishing fifth in the FedExCup Fall after shooting 62 in the final round in Utah, Schmid fell from the bubble at No. 120 to No. 105. To guarantee a full card for 2025, golfers must place in the top 125 during this portion of the PGA TOUR.
Pendrith is aware of the emotion.
When he visited Las Vegas last year, he was ranked No. 123 in the FedExCup, and he tied for 3rd place to almost lock up his spot for the next season. He then advanced to the TOUR Championship after winning his maiden PGA TOUR title in Dallas at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
“I’ve definitely been there, and I know it’s a significant time of year for many males. It’s tense. However, I feel different, and I’m certainly already booked for next year. I suppose playing outside creates a different mood. However, I truly like this site.” Pendrith said.
Pendrith, who finished with a 2-3-0 record and went 2-1-0 in team play with Adam Scott, was also selected for the Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal. A brief respite was planned, but Hurricane Milton’s passage across Florida changed that.
“Since the Presidents Cup, I believe I have played three times. After that, I was going to practise, but everything was closed.” Pendrith said.
Early in the week, he went to Las Vegas with his coach to do some good work.
“I’m eager to play and feel refreshed. I would say that I didn’t really anticipate a 10 under. I had anticipated being slightly more rusty than that. Needless to say, I’m ecstatic, but I need to keep readjusting to the routine and the days ahead.” Pendrith said.
“I’m eager to play and feel refreshed. I would say that I didn’t really anticipate a 10 under. I had anticipated being slightly more rusty than that. Needless to say, I’m ecstatic, but I need to keep readjusting to the routine and the days ahead.” Pendrith said.
