NAPLES, FLORIDA – Jason Day and Marc Leishman fired a 16-under 56 on Friday to take a one-shot lead in the QBE Shootout. They made 12 birdies, two eagles, and finished one shot short of the scramble format record.
Day is making his first appearance in Greg Norman’s unofficial event since winning with Cameron Tringale in 2014. Last year, Leishman teamed up with Cameron Smith.
They were one shot ahead of Corey Conners and Graeme McDowell, as well as Harris English and Matt Kuchar, the defending winners. They’re attempting to become the first squad in 17 years to win consecutive games.
Another eagle hole-out for @MarcLeish. 😲
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EagleWhat a run for Team Day-Leishman. pic.twitter.com/45purdw6l1
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 10, 2021
Lexi Thompson, the only LPGA Tour player in the competition, tied for sixth with Jason Kokrak and Kevin Na after shooting a 59 with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson.
Each of the 12 teams had a score of 62 or less. A scramble format, in which players choose their team’s best shot and then play from there, including putts, has a record of 55 holes. Day and Tringale are two of the people who hold the record.
The second round will be modified alternate shot, with fourballs for the final round on Sunday. Both players will tee off and then alternate shots the rest of the way.
