Keegan Bradley carded a bogey-free 64 to reach 21-under. His an opening 54-hole score of 189 (62-63-64), is his lowest on the PGA Tour and just one stroke short of the all-time Tour record.

“It was just really solid. Pretty boring honestly until the very end there. I made some nice shots some nice putts. I’m proud of the way I played. I’ve wanted to win this tournament forever, so the feeling of wanting to push and win is something I need to fight against and just let myself go out and play.

“When I got my PGA Tour card in 2010 going into ’11, the first thought in my mind wasn’t to play the majors, whatever, it was I get to come play Hartford.

“My first PGA Tour event I ever went to. I came here and watched David Duval play. I remember looking at his tee time and making sure I got here when he warmed up. The range was right over here and it was my first real taste of what the PGA Tour was like.

“Pretty special to be able to come back here and compete in this tournament.”

189 is also the lowest opening 54-hole score at this event since it moved to TPC River Highlands in 1984 (previously: 192/Brendan Todd/2020).

Chez Reavie, the 2019 champion, closed with a 63 to move into second place at 20-under, his lowest opening 54-hole score on Tour.

Patrick Cantlay fired nine birdies for a bogey-free 61 and moved into third place at 16-under, on course for his fifth top-5 finish this season.

Overnight leader Denny McCarthy made four bogeys and four birdies for a 70 and moved down into a share of fourth place at 15-under alongside Australian Adam Scott (65).

Related: Eighth hole bites back as Rory McIlroy trails record pacesetters

McIlroy is seven shots behind leaders Keegan Bradley and Denny McCarthy at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut.

Also tied in fourth is Rickie Fowler who produced eight birdies and an eagle at the par-5 6th, his third eagle for the week, for a bogey-free 60, his career-low score on Tour.

“After getting through 5 I made three pars there. You know, still was thinking, birdie the last four, so the chip was a bit of a bonus making three on 6.

“And that made it a little easier that I didn’t have to make all birdies coming in.

“You never say you’re necessarily out of a tournament, but being ten back it’s really up to either a round like I put together or the leaders not necessarily going anywhere.

“You just kind of go out there and see what happens. You know, now we’ll see where the guys end up out front, and then how much of a chance we really have tomorrow.

“But I’m going to need another really good round of golf to give myself a legit shot.”