Peter Uihlein set a scorching pace at the International Series England, held at the prestigious Foxhills Club & Resort in Surrey on August 9, 2024. Uihlein’s exceptional performance, marked by a record-breaking 10-under-par 61, catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard as he blistered through the course, setting a new benchmark and thrilling the spectators with his precision and flair.
Uihlein’s flawless round was characterized by one eagle, nine birdies, and just a single bogey, bringing his total score for the event to an impressive 10-under. Notably, his round featured a stunning eagle on the par-four 13th, where he holed his approach shot. This record round surpassed the previous course record by two shots, which he etched into history with a birdie on the final hole. Reflecting on his play, Uihlein remarked, “I putted unbelievable. I putted really, really well. Made a lot of pars around six, seven, eight, big par putts to kind of keep the round going when I was a couple under early, so that was nice.”
Beyond his impressive putting, Uihlein’s skillful driving also played a significant part in his success. “Just kind of drove it up to a lot of holes, had a lot of chips for eagle and just had comfortable up and downs,” Uihlein explained. His strategic approach, particularly on the par fives and drivable holes, kept him clear of trouble and in command, “I drove it nice in some key areas on the par fives, and the drivable holes, and kept it in between the trees, which is all you need to do.”
Chasing Uihlein are Thomas Pieters and Robert Dinwiddie, both vying to close the gap. Pieters ended his day with a 69, placing him joint-second. He commented on his challenges on the greens, “Played similar to yesterday, just didn’t make enough putts. I struggled on the greens. I am still pretty happy. I thought it was pretty tough this morning. I am in a good position.” Known for his aggressive playstyle, Pieters added, “I am playing aggressively, hitting a lot of drivers. I am kind of like chipping them down the fairway with my driver. Hopefully I can keep doing the same. I didn’t play golf last week; I took the week off. Sometimes it is good to refresh the mind; swing thoughts are gone. Just kind of get up there and hit it.”
Dinwiddie’s journey to joint-second has been no less compelling. After securing his place through an 18-hole qualifier and surviving an eight-man playoff, he carded a solid 66. Dinwiddie noted the improvements in his game, stating, “Putted amazingly well yesterday, didn’t hit the ball great. I hit the ball a bit better today and continued to putt pretty well from 10-15 feet. But you know, still, I haven’t really hit the ball that well, amazingly, the last couple of days.” Despite his self-assessment, Dinwiddie remains optimistic, “Well, look, I’m really happy to be nine under and that’s for sure…But maybe I haven’t got myself in crazy trouble, and then I have putted reasonably well which has kind of made up for it. So, I’m really happy. I’m hopeful that I can maybe hit the ball a little bit better over the next couple of days and see what happens.”
Close behind Uihlein is Caleb Surratt with a score of 66, just one shot off the leader’s pace. Other notable performances include Branden Grace, posting a 65 and trailing Uihlein by four shots, and Richard T. Lee, whose challenging 74 saw him slip from a joint leader position to four-under. Veteran player Jeev Milkha Singh, at 53 the oldest competitor, delivered a commendable 68, sitting one shot behind Seungtaek Lee, who scored a 70.
As the tournament progresses, the intensity and excitement are bound to escalate. With a prize pot of $2 million up for grabs, all eyes remain on Foxhills Club & Resort as players vie not just for victory, but for golfing immortality. The upcoming days promise even more thrilling golf, with every contender hoping to deliver their best on this grand stage.
