Scott

Pinckney

The 27-year-old made the 54-hole cut of 2-under 208 on the number after opening his second appearance in 68-70-70. He closed with a nine-birdie two-bogey effort, tying a low on TOUR in his 151st career round (2015 Sony Open/R2). Pinckney circled the nine on 13 greens in regulation for a stellar 1.308 putts per GIR, rolling in three from greater than 14 feet with a long of 32'3" at the par-4 fourth. He finished a career-best T2 here last year on rounds of 69-64-64-66, so today’s 63 is a personal best at TPC Four Seasons as well as a season best in 59 rounds.

The Arizona State product turned in a stress-free card today, splitting 13 (of 14) fairways and landing 16 greens in regulation. His putting performance was nothing to write home about, or else he could have taken this low. On the day, he rolled in just three putts from outside 5'1" with the longest being a 17-foot birdie blast at the par-4 18th. Pinckney currently ranks seventh in the field in strokes gained off-the-tee (+2.706) which has really been the catalyst for the 27-year-old thus far. Pinckney finished T25 in his Travelers debut last year so he’ll need to keep his foot on the gas if he wants to improve upon that.

The Arizona State product pelted 16 greens in regulation, striping nine (of 14) fairways along the way. His flat stick didn’t cooperate, or this could have been a really low round. His longest putt of the day was a 12'1" birdie roll on the par-4 second hole, it was his only putt made from outside eight feet. He also missed a 4'9" birdie attempt at the par-5 11th. Despite the cold putter, Pinckney was blemish-free in his tournament debut. He could become a factor this week if he figures out the greens here at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

The Arizona State product traded one bogey and one birdie on the front nine to make the turn at even par. After dropping another shot at the par-5 10th hole, the round was looking like a lost cause. Instead, he rattled off five straight birdies, including three holed putts from 11-to-17 feet. He caboosed the birdie train with a 60'11" birdie hole out from the rough at the par-4 15th. This round was really set up off the tee, as he missed just one (of 14) fairways which allowed him to attack the pins all day. Pinckney posted a T18 in his John Deere debut last year, and he’s off and running again this week.

At the end of the day, Pinckney would finish four shots back of winner and playing partner Steven Bowditch, but what he must have learned teeing it up in the final group that included Dustin Johnson. The rookie began the final frame in a five-way tie for second, and two shots off the pace. He exchanged two birdies with two bogeys to turn in even par, but settled into the spotlight with three circles on his trot to the clubhouse. The 26-year-old’s T2 is a season-best, topping his T6-finish at the Puerto Rico Open, and is also a career-best in 20 PGA TOUR starts.

The PGA TOUR rookie is flashing some fine form as of late, finishing co-runner-up at the Byron Nelson while adding in a T25 at last week’s Travelers Championship. He currently sits in 59th on the FedExCup leaderboard after a 13-for-20 start to the season. Pinckney will be making his tournament debut but should still remain a high-consideration sleeper for gamers this week.

Pinckney wasted little time in climbing the leaderboard this morning. After opening birdie-par on the back side of TPC Deere Run, he coaxed in an attempt for birdie from 34'4" at the par-3 12th. The loop wasn’t without its hiccups, however, as the rookie then played the next seven holes in birdie-free 2-over, but he came home in bogey-free 5-under. That sprint was sparked by a hole-out for eagle from the rough 22 yards away at the par-5 second. He birdied three of the last five, including conversions from 12'8" and 19'3" at Nos. 5 and 9, respectively. At last check, Pinckney ranked fourth in the field in strokes gained: putting with an aggregate clip of 5.812. It’s the proper approach to success in a shootout and he’s executing.

The PGA TOUR rookie birdied five of his last eight holes on Friday to make the cut on the number. Then he went out early today, playing solo, and circled six more birdies without giving any back. His putter was scorching as the round included six conversions from outside seven feet. Playing this event for the first time, it took him 28 holes to settle in, but he has things figured out now and is right in the thick of contention.

After opening with 69 in his first-round debut at TPC Four Seasons Resort, Pinckney has gone 64-64 to post 11-under 197. The PGA TOUR rookie circled five birdies on his blemish-free round, penciling birdies on Nos. 4, 6, 7, 14 and 16. Pinckney has registered two top 10s in 17 start on his season, including a T8 at the Valero Texas Open. The 26-year-old, in his 20th career start, is in contention for his first PGA TOUR title.

Pinckney rolled in three birdies on both nines at TPC Four Seasons today. His only blemish occurred at the par-4 fourth where he walked off with bogey. He arrived slotted 106th in the FedExCup standings with three top 15s in his last seven starts, so gamers that have been stalking the rookie are getting paid off early this week. He’s just three swings off the 36-hole clubhouse lead.