Hossler’s Brilliant 60 at the Wyndham Championship: A Playoff Berth in Sight?
Beau Hossler fired an incredible 10-under 60 in the rain-delayed Wyndham Championship, falling just short of a historic sub-60 round. His performance has catapulted him into the tournament lead and reignited hopes of making it into the FedExCup Playoffs. But with fierce competition and more weather challenges ahead, can he hold on to secure a top finish?
A Career-Best Round: A Near-Miss at Sedgefield
In a round where almost everything seemed to click, Hossler was poised to break into the history books with a sub-60 round at the vulnerable Sedgefield Country Club. He started strong, reaching 6 under after a tap-in eagle on the par-5 fifth hole and continued his momentum with a birdie on the par-4 eighth, completing the front nine with an outstanding 28.
As the back nine unfolded, he kept the birdies coming, but pars on the final three holes left him just short of the course record of 59 set by Brandt Snedeker in 2018. Despite missing birdie opportunities on the 16th and 17th holes, his 60 still stands as the lowest round of his PGA Tour career.
“I drove it well, and particularly probably the highlight of the round was just mid-irons,” Hossler said, reflecting on his performance. “A few 6-irons I hit really close, 5-iron I almost made a hole-in-one. It was one of those days where it felt like kind of everything went right.”
Weather Delays and Wet Conditions: Sedgefield’s Vulnerability
The tournament was delayed by a day after Tropical Storm Debby brought heavy rain and wind to the area, making the course conditions soft and favorable for low scoring. With players allowed to lift, clean, and place their golf balls in the fairways, Sedgefield became more vulnerable, particularly to long hitters like Hossler.
He took full advantage of the conditions, delivering precision shots and capitalizing on the soft greens to set himself apart from the field. However, with the tournament now behind schedule and more weather potentially on the horizon, how the course will play in the coming rounds remains uncertain.
The Playoff Picture: What’s at Stake for Beau
Entering the Wyndham Championship ranked 87th in the FedExCup standings, he faces a critical challenge in securing a playoff spot. Only the top 70 players in the standings advance to the FedExCup Playoffs, and Hossler needs at least a third-place finish or better to have a chance.
“This course has not treated me particularly well in the past, so I was just coming here and trying to play as well as I could and see what I got,” he said. With his stunning performance, he’s now in control of his own destiny, but the competition remains fierce.
The Chasers: Horschel and Taylor in the Hunt
Billy Horschel, sitting 27th in the FedExCup standings, is just two strokes behind and still has two holes left to complete his second round. Horschel, who recently tied for second at the British Open, is not only looking for a strong finish at Wyndham but also hoping to build momentum as the playoffs approach.
“If you can put the ball in the fairway, which has always been the case here, you can be aggressive,” Horschel noted. “Especially, with soft conditions, that makes it even more important to have the ball in the fairway.”
Ben Taylor, another player who made waves on Friday with a front-nine 28, faltered on the back nine, closing with a 1-over 36. Taylor needs a victory to crack the top 70, making every shot count in the final rounds.
Final Thoughts: Can Hossler Secure His First PGA Tour Win?
As Hossler heads into the weekend with a two-stroke lead, the question looms: Can he maintain his form and secure his first PGA Tour win? With so much on the line, including a potential playoff berth, the pressure will be immense. But if Friday’s round is any indication, he has the game to make it happen.
With challenging conditions, fierce competitors, and the ever-present threat of more weather delays, the Wyndham Championship is shaping up to be an exciting finish. Golf fans won’t want to miss a moment as Hossler battles for his playoff spot and potentially, his first PGA Tour title.
This article first appeared on Almost Average Golf and was syndicated with permission.
