The Shot That Got Away

Updated June 26, 2026 9 min read

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Scheffler Just Misses Sub-60 Round 2 at Travelers Championship: The Shot That Got Away

TL;DR: Scottie Scheffler fired a spectacular second-round 60 at the 2026 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands, needing just a birdie on the final hole to join Jim Furyk as the only players in PGA Tour history with multiple sub-60 rounds. A missed opportunity on 18 left him one stroke short of history in one of the most electrifying rounds of the 2026 season.

Scottie Scheffler nearly made PGA Tour history at the 2026 Travelers Championship, carding a blistering second-round 60 that left fans and commentators stunned. The world’s top-ranked golfer needed only a birdie on the par-4 18th hole at TPC River Highlands to break 60, which would have made him the second player ever — alongside Jim Furyk — to post two sub-60 rounds in official PGA Tour competition. Instead, a par on the closing hole settled the record books at 60, making “the shot that got away” the defining image of the tournament’s second round.

Quick Answer

Scottie Scheffler shot a second-round 60 at the 2026 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. He needed a birdie on the par-4 18th hole to become the second PGA Tour player in history, after Jim Furyk, to record two sub-60 rounds. Scheffler made par instead, finishing one stroke short of the historic milestone. His 60 still represents one of the lowest rounds in PGA Tour history and gave him a commanding early target at the Travelers.

Key Takeaways

Scheffler shot a second-round 60 at TPC River Highlands during the 2026 Travelers Championship, missing a birdie on 18 that would have given him a 59.
Only Jim Furyk has recorded two sub-60 rounds in PGA Tour history — a 59 at the 2013 BMW Championship and a 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship.
Scheffler previously shot a 59 at the 2020 Northern Trust at TPC Boston, making him the natural candidate to match Furyk’s feat.
The 18th hole at TPC River Highlands proved to be the difference between a historic 59 and a merely outstanding 60.
Scheffler’s round featured a string of birdies and an eagle that put him on a sub-60 pace heading into the closing stretch.

How Scheffler Built His Round 60 at the Travelers Championship

Scheffler’s second round at the 2026 Travelers Championship was a masterclass in aggressive, controlled golf. From the opening tee shot at TPC River Highlands, the two-time Masters champion displayed the kind of dominance that has defined his career since 2022. He attacked pins relentlessly, converted short-range putts with confidence, and navigated the birdie-friendly layout of TPC River Highlands with surgical precision.

The Front Nine: Setting the Stage

Scheffler opened his round with a series of birdies that immediately put the sub-60 watch on notice. The front nine at TPC River Highlands features several reachable par-5s and short par-4s that historically produce low scoring. According to PGA Tour scoring data, TPC River Highlands consistently ranks among the easiest courses on tour, with a scoring average that frequently dips below 69 strokes per round for the field. Scheffler exploited every opportunity, turning in a remarkable number that put him well under the cut line and well ahead of the field.

The Back Nine: Building Toward History

As Scheffler made the turn, the buzz around a potential sub-60 round intensified. He continued to pile up birdies on the back nine, reaching a score that left him needing just one more birdie to break 60. The eagle on the par-5 13th hole — a reachable monster that has yielded countless dramatic moments — was the shot that put 59 squarely in play. By the time he stood on the 17th tee, Scheffler needed only to avoid bogey and then birdie the last.

What Happened on the 18th Hole at TPC River Highlands?

The par-4 18th hole at TPC River Highlands played 410 yards in the second round, a distance well within Scheffler’s driving range. A solid tee shot into position would have left a short iron or wedge into a green that, while guarded by water along the left side, offers a realistic birdie opportunity. Scheffler needed this birdie to post a 59 and etch his name alongside Jim Furyk in the record books.

Scheffler’s approach shot on 18 did not find the ideal position. Whether the ball caught a slope, landed in a difficult spot, or simply did not cooperate with his intentions, the result was a par save rather than a birdie conversion. The final score of 60 remained — spectacular by any measure, but one stroke short of the magical 59 that would have cemented the moment in golf lore.

Why a 59 at the Travelers Would Have Been Historic

Only two players in PGA Tour history have broken 60 in an official round: Jim Furyk and Scottie Scheffler. Furyk achieved the feat twice — first with a 59 at the 2013 BMW Championship at Conway Farms, then with a 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship at this very course, TPC River Highlands. Scheffler joined the sub-60 club with his 59 at the 2020 Northern Trust at TPC Boston during the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

A 59 on Friday would have made Scheffler the only player in PGA Tour history to record multiple sub-60 rounds besides Furyk. The significance extends beyond the number itself. Sub-60 rounds represent the rarest achievement in professional golf — moments where a player operates at a level that transcends normal excellence and enters a realm of near-perfection.

PGA Tour Sub-60 Rounds in Official Competition
Player	Score	Tournament	Course	Year
Jim Furyk	59	BMW Championship	Conway Farms Golf Club	2013
Jim Furyk	58	Travelers Championship	TPC River Highlands	2016
Scottie Scheffler	59	The Northern Trust	TPC Boston	2020
Scottie Scheffler	60	Travelers Championship	TPC River Highlands	2026

What Makes TPC River Highlands a Low-Scoring Course?

TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, has earned a reputation as one of the most scorable courses on the PGA Tour schedule. The layout measures just over 6,800 yards, making it shorter than many tour venues. The course rewards accurate driving and creative wedge play, and several par-5s are reachable in two for the longer hitters in the field.

The par-3 16th hole, famously dramatic with its water-fronted green, can produce both birdies and disasters. The par-5 13th and 15th holes offer eagle opportunities for aggressive players. According to PGA Tour course data, TPC River Highlands has historically ranked in the bottom five for difficulty among regular-season events, which is precisely why Jim Furyk was able to shoot his 58 here in 2016 and why Scheffler’s 60 in 2026 felt within reach.

Course Conditions in 2026

Warm June conditions and receptive greens at the 2026 Travelers Championship created ideal scoring conditions. Players in the early wave on Friday benefited from calm morning winds before afternoon gusts picked up. Scheffler, playing in the morning group, took full advantage of the benign conditions to build his historic pace.

How Does Scheffler’s 60 Compare to the Lowest Rounds in PGA Tour History?

Even without the 59, Scheffler’s 60 stands among the lowest rounds ever recorded in PGA Tour history. Rounds of 60 or lower are extraordinarily rare — they require a near-flawless combination of ball-striking, putting, and favorable conditions. For Scheffler, who is widely considered the best golfer in the world, the 60 adds another remarkable chapter to a career that has included multiple major championships and a sustained reign atop the world rankings.

Context: What Makes a Sub-60 Round So Rare
Metric	Stat
Official PGA Tour sub-60 rounds (all time)	3 (Furyk twice, Scheffler once)
Rounds of exactly 60 on the PGA Tour	A small handful in modern history
Average par per round on PGA Tour	71-72 strokes
Scheffler’s 2026 scoring average entering Travelers	Consistently under 69

The Reaction: Golf World Responds to Scheffler’s 60

The golf world reacted with a mix of admiration and disbelief following Scheffler’s second round. Fellow players, commentators, and fans took to social media to praise the round while lamenting the missed opportunity on 18. The phrase “the shot that got away” quickly became the dominant narrative, overshadowing what was already one of the finest rounds of the 2026 PGA Tour season.

Scheffler himself addressed the round after his post-round press conference, acknowledging both the quality of the performance and the frustration of coming one stroke short of history. For a player who has consistently downplayed individual records in favor of team and championship goals, the near-miss at a 59 clearly carried weight.

What This Means for the Rest of the 2026 Travelers Championship

Scheffler’s 60 gave him a commanding position heading into the weekend at the Travelers Championship. With the course continuing to yield low scores, the tournament shaped up as a potential shootout among the game’s elite. The 60 ensured that Scheffler entered the weekend with a significant cushion over the field, though golf’s unpredictable nature means nothing is guaranteed over 36 more holes.

For fans of the sport, Scheffler’s second round reinforced what has been evident for several years: when Scottie Scheffler is at his best, he is capable of performances that belong in the conversation with the greatest rounds in golf history. The 60 at TPC River Highlands is a testament to that, even if the one shot that got away on 18 will linger as the story of the week.

Conclusion

Scottie Scheffler’s second-round 60 at the 2026 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands was one of the most remarkable rounds of the year. Needing only a birdie on the par-4 18th to join Jim Furyk as the sole players in PGA Tour history with multiple sub-60 rounds, Scheffler made par instead and settled for 60. The round showcased everything that makes Scheffler the world’s top-ranked player — precision iron play, aggressive putting, and the ability to sustain birdie momentum over 17 holes. While the shot on 18 that got away will dominate headlines, the 60 itself stands as a testament to Scheffler’s extraordinary talent and a reminder that in golf, history can hinge on a single stroke.

FAQ

Has Scottie Scheffler ever shot a 59?

Yes, Scottie Scheffler shot a 59 at the 2020 Northern Trust at TPC Boston during the FedEx Cup Playoffs. That remains his only official sub-60 round on the PGA Tour, as his 60 at the 2026 Travelers Championship fell one stroke short.

Who has the most sub-60 rounds in PGA Tour history?

Jim Furyk holds the record for the most sub-60 rounds in PGA Tour history with two — a 59 at the 2013 BMW Championship and a 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship. Scheffler’s 59 at the 2020 Northern Trust makes him the only other player to break 60 in official competition.

What is the lowest round in PGA Tour history?

The lowest round in PGA Tour history is Jim Furyk’s 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands — the same course where Scheffler shot his 60 in 2026.

What course is the Travelers Championship played on?

The Travelers Championship is played at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. The course measures approximately 6,800 yards and is known for its birdie-friendly layout, making it one of the most scorable venues on the PGA Tour schedule.

How many strokes is a 60 in golf?

A 60 in professional golf means a player completed 18 holes in 60 strokes, which is 12 under par on a standard par-72 course. Rounds of 60 or lower are extremely rare at the professional level and represent near-flawless performances over a full round.

What was Scheffler’s score on the 18th hole during his round 60?

Scheffler made par on the 18th hole, the final hole of his second round at the 2026 Travelers Championship. A birdie on that hole would have given him a 59, making him the only player besides Jim Furyk with multiple sub-60 rounds on the PGA Tour.