KARUIZAWA, Japan (AP) — SMU junior Bryson DeChambeau shot a tournament-record 10-under 61 on Friday in the World Amateur Team Championship, birdieing the final six holes to help the United States open a three-stroke lead.
DeChambeau also birdied five of the first six holes on Karuizawa 72 Golf East’s Oshitate Course and had his lone bogey on the par-3 eighth.
“I’m honored and it’s pretty cool to be the low number for the World Amateur,” DeChambeau said. “That’s pretty sweet. I got off to a hot start and made a couple putts early and just kept going. I finished with six birdies and I’ve never done something like that so I’m excited to shoot that number and I’m ready for tomorrow.”
Virginia senior Denny McCarthy added a 67 and the 14-time champion Americans set records for best team round at 14-under 128 and three-round total at 31-under 397. Texas sophomore Beau Hossler had a 68, with only the top two scores counting in the team total in the biennial event.
“We’re going to have to go out tomorrow and shoot another low round in double digits under par at least,” Hossler said. “Moving forward we need to play consistent golf, keep our heads down and keep focused on shooting more and more under par.
“Out here, you’ve got to take it pretty deep and if we can take advantage of the par 5s and the wedge holes, we’re going to be just fine.”
DeChambeau broke the record of 63 set by Australia’s Jason Dawes in 1994 in France and the team topped its own marks of 131 and 404 set in its 2012 victory in Turkey.
“They’re really experienced tournament players,” U.S. captain Jim Hyler said. “It’s not a surprise to me that we’ve had nine rounds that are all in the 60s.”
Sweden was second. Texas Tech sophomore Hannes Ronneblad had a 64, and Marcus Kinhult shot 67.
“It’s always fun to be in the mix on the last day,” Kinhult said.
Spain and Canada were tied for third at 25 under. Arizona State junior Jon Rahm had a 62 for Spain to top the individual standings at 18 under, a stroke ahead of DeChambeau.
“On the first couple holes I felt pretty bad,” Rahm said. “I couldn’t hit a shot straight, but somehow I managed to make a couple of pars. I made my birdie on four and then after that I just got into my zone and started hitting every single shot perfect.”
The top teams will close Saturday on the Iriyama Course.
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