Ben Kohles truly stepped on the gas at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. With a series of six consecutive birdies from holes 5 to 10, he significantly shook up the leaderboard, carding an 8-under-par 63 on Thursday. This is a perfect start and a statement that will be hard to counter.
Overall, Kohles collected an incredible eleven birdies during his impressive round, including eight on the first ten holes. Although a few blemishes crept in – bogeys on holes 4 and 12, and a missed par putt on 16 – the impressive 63 puts him right at the top. He shares the lead with Ben Silverman, who also delivered a bogey-free 63, showcasing a truly strong performance.
Mission: 2027 Tour Card
This performance in Bermuda is not just a highlight, but also critically important for the 36-year-old. Currently ranked 80th in the FedExCup Fall standings, Kohles is fighting for his 2027 PGA Tour Card. His form has been on an upward trend in recent weeks, with top finishes at the Biltmore Championship (T-15), Bank of Utah Championship (T-13), and the Baycurrent Classic in Japan (T-17). Kohles deliberately chose to play the Biltmore to capitalize on this form and improve his position in the Fall Standings – and Bermuda proves that this plan is working.
Wind, Weather, and Early Low Scores
While the Port Royal Golf Course is short and located right on the coast, wind and capricious weather can quickly turn everything upside down here. Strong gusts and rain are forecast for Sunday, which makes early, low scores valuable but by no means decisive. The leaderboard is still fluid, but Kohles has made the first move. It remains to be seen if he can maintain his form and continue to play so aggressively.
