The blustery island of Bermuda has proven to be a stern test for the PGA Tour’s finest at this week’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship. But one man has risen above the challenging conditions at Port Royal Golf Course – Justin Lower. The 33-year-old carded his second consecutive round of 6-under par 65 on Friday to seize the 36-hole lead at 12-under par.
Lower, coming off a runner-up finish last week at the Mexico Open, continued his stellar play in the windy and rainy weather. He opened with a flurry, notching three birdies in his first five holes. The American then caught fire on the back nine, reeling off three straight birdies starting at the 12th hole to separate himself from the chasing pack.
Conquering the Elements
While many players struggled to navigate the gusty winds and periodic squalls that swept across the seaside layout, Lower seemed undeterred. His stellar iron play and a deft short game touch allowed him to continually give himself birdie opportunities.
“It was a grind out there with the wind and the rain,”
– Lower told reporters after his round.
“I was really happy with how I struck the ball and I was able to take advantage when I had chances.” His only regret was not capitalizing more on Port Royal’s three par-5 holes, which he parred on Friday after making birdies on two of them in the opening round.
Eyes on a Maiden Victory
Lower, who is in his second season on the PGA Tour, is still searching for his first career victory. After coming agonizingly close last week in Mexico, he is in prime position heading into the weekend to break through.
“My game is in a great spot right now. I’m going to stick to my process over the weekend and hopefully it will be enough,”
– he said.
A win would be life-changing, granting him a two-year PGA Tour exemption and berths in elite events like the Masters and the PGA Championship in 2023.
Chasing Pack Looking to Make a Move
Lower will have to fend off a hungry group of challengers over the final 36 holes. Robby Shelton and Ryan Moore sit just two shots back at 10-under par following rounds of 65 and 64 respectively on Friday.
Shelton, who like Lower is chasing his first PGA Tour win, credited a recent swing change for his strong play. “I finally feel like my game is heading in the right direction,” the 26-year-old told the media. “I’m going to go out there with a nothing-to-lose attitude this weekend and see if I can track Justin down.”
Moore, a five-time PGA Tour winner, is looking to snap a victory drought that dates back to 2016. The 39-year-old veteran scrambled his way around Port Royal on Friday, getting up-and-down several times to keep his round going.
“It wasn’t always pretty but I managed to grind out a good score,”
– Moore said.
“My short game really saved me today. Hopefully I can hit it a bit better on the weekend and give myself more looks at birdies.”
Notable Names Lurking
Several Tour stalwarts are also within striking distance heading into Moving Day. Kevin Kisner posted a solid round of 3-under 68 on Friday to reach 9-under for the championship, just three shots behind Lower.
The four-time PGA Tour winner and former Match Play champion is looking to jumpstart what has been a disappointing 2022 season. Known for his gritty competitiveness, Kisner should be a factor over the final 36 holes.
“I haven’t had my best stuff this year but it’s encouraging to see some putts go in and give myself a chance,”
– Kisner told the media after his round.
Searching for his first win since the 2021 Wyndham Championship, the 38-year-old knows he will need to go low on the weekend to have a shot at the title. “Justin (Lower) is playing some great golf right now, so I’ll have to keep the pedal down and make a bunch of birdies.”
History on the Line
One of the more intriguing storylines to emerge on Friday was the play of little-known Egor Eroshenko. The 27-year-old became the first player from Russia to make the cut in a PGA Tour event.
Eroshenko, who plays primarily on Eastern Europe-based tours, was a late addition to the Bermuda field. He made the most of his opportunity with rounds of 69-70 to sit at 1-under par after 36 holes. While he may be a longshot to contend, his presence on the weekend is already a groundbreaking achievement.
Predictions for a Wild Weekend
With winds forecasted to gust up to 30 mph on Saturday, conditions could be ripe for a weekend shake-up at Port Royal Golf Course. Will Justin Lower continue his stellar play and breakthrough for a maiden PGA Tour victory? Or will a hard-charging contender like Kisner or Shelton track him down?
One thing is for certain – the Butterfield Bermuda Championship is shaping up for a dramatic, windswept finish on the Atlantic island. Buckle up, golf fans. This could be a wild ride all the way to the 72nd hole.
Round 3 tee times and coverage details for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship:
| Tee Times | TV Coverage | Live Stream |
| 7:45 am – 9:57 am AST | Golf Channel: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm ET | ESPN+ |
