Atlanta – On Friday morning at East Lake Golf Club, Cameron Young found himself teeing off alone after J.J. Spaun withdrew with a shoulder injury. The lone start gave Young a rare chance to set his own rhythm, and he seized it with a blistering performance.
Starting the tournament in 29th place after an even‑par round on Thursday, Young began the day with a string of birdies on seven of the first eleven holes. A solitary bogey on the par‑four 12th was the only blemish before he capped the round with a spectacular 42‑foot eagle putt on the 18th, the ball striking the back of the cup and settling in for an 8‑under 62.
“It felt a bit strange at first, playing by myself,” Young told CNN Sports’ Patrick Snell. “Once I got over the fact that I was the only player on the first tee, it was like a practice round. I could play at my own pace, no waiting, no rushing.” The solo start allowed him to maintain a steady tempo, a factor he said helped him stay focused and confident throughout the round.
The crowd grew steadily as Young’s birdies piled up, and by the time he reached the 18th green, the gallery’s roar echoed across the historic course. “When you’re not waiting on anyone, you just keep going at your own speed,” Young added. “It’s pretty nice in that sense.”
Young’s 62 vaulted him into the clubhouse lead, a position he did not expect to hold for long given that several competitors were still on the course. Nevertheless, the round marked a dramatic turnaround after a difficult stretch of three weeks in which he missed the cut at three consecutive events.
Earlier in the season, Young captured two victories – the Players Championship and the Cadillac Championship – and posted six additional top‑10 finishes, including a runner‑up finish at the British Open and a third‑place finish at the Masters. The recent slump had left him frustrated, but Friday’s performance reminded fans of his elite talent.
While Young acknowledged that a sub‑60 round remains a tantalizing goal, he remained realistic about the challenges. “We all think about breaking 60, but you have to stay focused on each shot,” he said, noting that a wayward approach on the 12th led to the lone bogey.
For now, Young sits near the top of the leaderboard as the tournament progresses, with his solo 62 serving as a confidence boost for the remainder of the season‑ending event. His performance underscores the importance of mental resilience and the ability to thrive even when circumstances are unconventional.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
