Kevin Sutherland used a left hand-low putting grip when he became the first PGA Tour Champions player to shoot a round of 59. That was 10 years ago.
The 60-year-old did not continue to do so, but a golf outing with his son and a friend renewed his interest.
Sutherland returned to that grip to remain in contention at the Ascension Charity Classic on Saturday, finishing the second round at 6-under par and two strokes behind leaders Stewart Cink and Y.E. Yang.
鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 been putting well,鈥 Sutherland said. 鈥淚 haven鈥檛 done it much since (the 59). Then Keaton and I were playing with a friend of his, and he was putting that way. I gave it a wing. For the most part it feels really good, like a work in progress but so far so good.鈥
In a tournament that has seen scores get lower each year, the top of the leaderboard did not get any separation until late in the second round with Cink and Yang ending the day 8-under par. Last year鈥檚 winner finished 19 under.
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Seven golfers will start Sunday within three strokes of the leaders, leaving the door open to the likes of Bernhard Langer and Justin Leonard.
Cink, who won the last event on the tour two weeks ago, posted his second round of 67 to catch Yang, and missed a putt on the 18th hole that would have given him the lead.
鈥淚t was a little scrappy, especially early on,鈥 Cink said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 quite have a really good flow going and was missing shots left and right 鈥 a little ugly. When I went into the turn, I felt if I could shoot 4-under on the back I鈥檇 get myself back into position, having no idea what the leaders were doing.鈥
Earlier in the day it was announced that the tournament, which is in its fourth year, would continue for at least three more years after some concern about its future. Stifel will become the title sponsor, replacing Ascension, in a decision that was said to have come recently.
Sutherland said he was invigorated by playing with Keaton as his caddie. Last year Steve Flesch won the tournament with his son on the bag.
Sutherland had three birdies and two bogeys in an unspectacular round. Overcoming the struggles to be within reach had him in a good mood, but not as much as spending the weekend with his son.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been amazing,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 knew it was going to be special but it鈥檚 been even better. I鈥檓 truly getting a little emotional talking about it. It鈥檚 like going to dinner. It鈥檚 everything. Getting to spend this much time with your son is a special thing, and we鈥檝e gotten along fantastically on the course. I feel like the body is still the same but my mind is a little more engaged. I鈥檝e got a little bit more energy.鈥
Sutherland has played in 200 events on the over-50 tour and won the Schwab Cup in 2017. However, he hasn鈥檛 won a tournament since 2020.
Cink is trying to win his second straight tournament after capturing the Ally Challenge. He spoke before the first round about wanting to back up his performance two weeks earlier and has been steady in his first look at Norwood Hills.
He started the back nine with 2s on Nos. 10 and 11, the first time he could remember ever doing that in his career. The first was for a birdie and the second an eagle.
鈥淭he expectation management is really the first round, and once you get that under your belt it鈥檚 back to the present,鈥 Cink said. 鈥淚鈥檝e played OK so far 鈥 nothing great. I鈥檝e been sloppy here and there but managing myself really well.鈥
Langer continued to be a contender at Norwood Hills as he carded four birdies without a misstep to follow an opening round 69 with a 67. He is tied with Sutherland and Rod Pampling two shots out of the lead.
Many of the tour鈥檚 top 10 for the season have struggled through two days. Third-place Steven Alker is plus-2, fifth-place K.J. Choi is plus-2 and sixth-place Steve Stricker is even.