Blanchet fires 2 eagles for 62
SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda (AP) — Chandler Blanchet delivered a spectacular start to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, firing a nine-under-par 62 featuring two eagles to take a one-shot lead after Thursday’s opening round.
Blanchet sank an eagle putt from more than 50 feet on the par-5 17th and set up another with a shot to within five feet on the par-5 seventh. Six birdies complemented his remarkable round, with his only bogey coming on the par-4 fourth, his 13th hole of the day, after missing the green to the left at Port Royal.
He holds a slim advantage over Ben Kohles, Corey Conners, Danny Walker and Canada’s Ben Silverman, who all opened with impressive rounds despite unpredictable weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Rico Hoey opened with a 69.
The wind alternated between gusts and calmer spells, with occasional showers, but conditions proved more forgiving than usual at the coastal layout.
Blanchet’s best finish this season came at the Puerto Rico Open. He entered the week 114th in the FedExCup Fall standings, with the battle for PGA Tour playing privileges intensifying as only five tournaments remain. Players finishing inside the top 100 will retain full status for the 2027 season.
The easing wind helped Blanchet attack the par-5 seventh, where he hit a smooth 5-iron to set up his second eagle.
“The wind was kind of calming down, so it was pretty favorable,” he said. “Hit a smooth 5-iron there to like 5 feet. That was sweet.”
His first eagle came on the 17th, the course’s shortest par-5, where water runs along the left side. After hitting a strong drive, Blanchet faced an approach of about 180 yards but pushed his shot to the right. He recovered in spectacular fashion, sinking the long putt from just beyond 50 feet.
“Just dripped in on the last revolution,” he said.
Kohles continued his impressive run in the fall series, shooting a 63 to share second place.
He entered the Korn Ferry Tour Championship ranked 19th, with the top 20 players earning PGA Tour cards, but chose to compete at the Baycurrent Classic in Japan instead. A tie for 17th helped him climb to 80th in the FedExCup Fall standings, putting him in a strong position to retain his tour card.
With his status for next season nearly secured, Kohles can now pursue a place in the top 60, which would qualify him for two Signature Events offering $20 million in prize money each.
Kohles produced a career-best streak of six consecutive birdies, with five putts from around six feet and the final one from approximately 12 feet.
“It’s pretty nice, I think, to feel a lot more comfortable,” he said.
Kohles admitted that his decision to skip the final three Korn Ferry Tour events in favor of the PGA Tour’s fall schedule had initially left his future uncertain.
Despite playing well on both tours, he said he had not been assured of securing a place on either circuit. Three strong finishes to begin the fall campaign, however, have largely settled the matter.
“Just feel like I’m just kind of freewheeling and trying to play my best and see where it puts me,” he said.
Mackenzie Hughes and Emiliano Grillo were among the players who carded 64s to sit two shots behind the leaders.