The Loop

Hiroshi Iwata lights up course, media center at Whistling Straits

August 14, 2015

HAVEN, Wis. -- You'll be forgiven if you haven't heard of Hiroshi Iwata. But it's a name that made waves at Whistling Straits on Friday.

Iwata, a 34-year-old on the Japan Golf Tour, had made just three major appearances before the 2015 PGA Championship. In each start, Iwata failed to make the cut.

It appeared that streak would continue in Wisconsin. In the wind-battered Thursday afternoon conditions, Iwata fired an opening-round 77.

However, after going 14 shots lower on Friday -- for you math scholars, that would be a 63 -- Iwata finds himself just three shots out of the lead heading into afternoon play.

The 63 tied the mark for lowest round in major championship history, equaling the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy. It also broke the Whistling Straits course record set by W.C. Liang in 2010.