Lowry shoots fifth 62 ever at major, climbs PGA leaderboard - ESPN

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Shane Lowry was just 11 feet, 10 inches away from history.

On Saturday at Valhalla Golf Club, the Irishman had a birdie putt on the 18th green to shoot the first-ever 61 in a major championship. But as the putt slid by on the left side, Lowry could only wince and look up at the sky in bittersweet disappointment.

A share of history would have to do.

Shane Lowry was T-29 at the end of the second round. Over the last 25 PGA Championships, only 3 players moved inside the top 5 through 54 holes after being outside the top 25 through 36 holes:
• W.C. Liang, 2010 (Whistling),went from T-40 to T-4; finished T-8
• Padraig Harrington, 2008 (Oakland Hills), went from T-26 to T-4; Won
• Thomas Bjorn, 2005 (Baltusrol), went from T-36 to third; finished T-2

«I enjoyed it. I enjoyed every minute of it, obviously,» Lowry said. «Probably the most disappointed anyone can ever be shooting 62. I knew what was at stake. Just didn't hit the ball hard enough. Had it on a good read and just broke away from the hole.»

Just two days after Xander Schauffele tied his own record for lowest round at a major with a 9-under 62 — a feat that had only been accomplished once before last year — Lowry was able to join the exclusive group by shooting his own 9 under at the PGA Championship — the fifth 62 in major championship history.

The 2019 Open Championship winner at Royal Portrush started his third round at the PGA Championship at 4 under, 8 shots back of the leader, Schauffele. He made quick work of Valhalla's front nine, carding six birdies, including four in a row from the second hole through the sixth, for a front-nine 29.

Lowry slowed down and made pars on his next three holes after making the turn, but he made back-to-back