Duffy Waldorf ties course record to take the lead at Toshiba Classic

Before Saturday, perhaps the most popular Duffy in Newport Beach was the electric boat rental company.

But there was Duffy Waldorf certainly making a name for himself at Newport Beach Country Club in the 21st Toshiba Classic. The 53-year-old UCLA alum tied the course record, shooting 11-under-par 60 to take the lead after two rounds.

Waldorf, who had 11 birdies in his bogey-free round, nearly went to 59, but settled for par on the par-five No. 18 when he missed a 10-foot putt to the right of the cup.

At 15 under, he holds a three-shot lead against Fred Couples, the defending champion who also won in 2010. Couples, who attracted a large gallery during his round, birdied No. 18.

“I really didn’t let anything get away today, except [hole No.] 18 really,” Waldorf said. “I made almost every putt inside 15 feet.”

Waldorf tied Tom Purtzer (2004) and Nick Price (2011) for the course record and set a 36-hole record, besting Price by one stroke. Purtzer and Price were champions in the years they hit 60. Waldorf will try to do the same in the final round Sunday.

He wowed the gallery with a birdie putt from 50 feet on No. 16. But even then he said he didn’t know he had a chance at 59. The Golf Channel tried to trend Waldorf’s quest on Twitter with “#59Watch.”

Waldorf admitted nerves got to him while walking up to No. 18 when he realized 59 was in his grasp. But his drive went into the left rough with a tree in his line to the green. He managed to get into the bunker and then onto the green.

“I tugged it a little,” Waldorf said of his tee shot on 18. “It was nerves. I felt if I hit one solid I would be in pretty good shape.

“I did look up at the [leader] board on 17,” he said. “I looked and saw I was at 11. I didn’t really think about it at 14, 15, 16. I didn’t realize that put me to 11. Walking to 18, I knew what I had in front of me.”

Waldorf got off to a hot start in the second round with birdies on Nos. 1, 2 and 3. He also birdied 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15 and 16.

“One-2-3 birdie is a nice fast start,” Waldorf said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever done that. That’s as fast as start as you can get. It really allows you to take your time. [But] it felt like the guys in my group were making birdies. Once I made the three and I wasn’t even in the lead, I felt it was going to be one of those low days. Better go as low as you can.”

Waldorf will be in the final round with Couples, who bought a home in Newport Beach this year and is certainly the fan favorite at the Toshiba Classic. Couples is trying to be the first three-time champion and first repeat winner at the Toshiba Classic, a Champions Tour event.

Heading into the final round, Austin Woody, Kenny Perry and Kevin Sutherland are at 11 under, four shots behind Waldorf.

Local favorite Paul Goydos is tied for sixth at 10 under with Billy Andrade and first-round leaders Scott McCarron and Steve Pate.

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Virgen is a Times correspondent.