Denny McCarthy opened up with a round of six-under par 64 on day one of the Wyndham Championship.
McCarthy played some splendid golf on Thursday in North Carolina, making six birdies and 12 pars en route to his round of 64.
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The 33-year-old has experienced an underwhelming 2026 season on the PGA Tour, with five missed cuts to his name in 21 starts and only one top-10 finish.
Denny McCarthy is ranked 84th in the FedEx Cup standings as a result of his form this season, and he needs at least a solo 5th-place finish to make the playoffs
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
His opening-round 64 at the Wyndham Championship will certainly stand him in good stead as he looks to achieve a high finish this week.
He could have shot even lower had he rolled in a few more putts at Sedgefield Country Club on Thursday.
Denny McCarthy’s awkward exchange with journalist at the Wyndham Championship
McCarthy recorded the third-best strokes gained putting season of all-time on the PGA Tour back in 2020.
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The 33-year-old spoke to reporters in North Carolina on Thursday and the topic of his putting was raised.
One journalist suggested that McCarthy’s putting let him down on day one at the Wyndham.
“I wouldn’t say it’s really let me down. I don’t know where I am in the putting stats. I think they’re still pretty good,“ he replied.
“What are my putting stats there? Do you know my putting stats?
“I wouldn’t say my putter’s let me down at all. There’s about — there’s four putts on the front nine that I hit really good putts that all could have gone in that didn’t. A 6 under could have been a 9 under pretty easily.
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
“I wouldn’t say my putter’s let me down at all. There’s about — there’s four putts on the front nine that I hit really good putts that all could have gone in that didn’t. A 6 under could have been a 9 under pretty easily.
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“I like the way I have been putting the ball most of the year. Whether it goes in the hole or not is a different story. In my mind, I’ve made a lot of putts that don’t go in. I’ve hit the putts I’ve wanted. I would still consider it a strength. Where’s my putting at?“
McCarthy was then told that he’s ranked 14th this season in strokes gained putting.
“He just said 14, but this guy’s telling me it’s letting me down,“ the PGA Tour player said.
To which the journalist replied: “14 is bad for you.“
Before McCarthy responded by saying: “It’s still pretty good. That’s not too bad.“
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Denny McCarthy’s putting stats
He has only been ranked outside the top four in strokes gained putting twice since 2018 (14th and 22nd).
This year he is ranked 14th in strokes gained putting.
That proves that he has putted very well so far in 2026; it’s just that his performances on the greens haven’t been up to his usual high standards.
On day one of the Wyndham Championship, McCarthy was ranked 27th in strokes gained putting.
And if he gets hot on the greens during the final three rounds, he may well force his way inside the top 70 of the FedEx Cup points list ahead of the first playoff event.
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