Scottie Scheffler kicked off the Tour Championship with a two-shot lead and showcased his dominance on Thursday by carding a 6-under 65, giving him a commanding seven-shot lead and positioning himself well for the FedEx Cup title. His impressive performance included five birdies in the last seven holes at a scorching East Lake course.
With a birdie on the 18th hole, Scheffler solidified his lead, setting a new PGA Tour record by being seven shots ahead after the first round. Despite his stellar play, he edged out Collin Morikawa and four others who each carded a 66. Scheffler, the top seed, began the tournament at 10-under par, two shots ahead of Xander Schauffele.
This marks Scheffler’s third consecutive year starting with the lead at the Tour Championship, yet he has never clinched the FedEx Cup title and its hefty $25 million prize. Nonetheless, he remains focused on staying in the moment and executing his game plan throughout the tournament.
While Schauffele made an early charge, Scheffler’s consistency off the fairway helped him maintain his lead. Schauffele acknowledged Scheffler’s solid play and expressed his disappointment in his own performance. Despite the challenging conditions at East Lake, Scheffler’s ability to hit fairways and greens set him apart from the competition.
As the chase for the FedEx Cup bonus continues, Scheffler’s strong start serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of golf. Morikawa, known for his fast starts, finished with a 66 and will be paired with Scheffler in the final group on Friday. The leaderboard also includes players like Adam Scott, Hideki Matsuyama, and Keegan Bradley, who made significant moves following strong performances.
The revamped East Lake course provided a tough test for players, with only one golfer finishing over par on the opening day. Despite the challenging conditions, Schauffele continued his impressive record of under-par rounds at East Lake. However, it was Scheffler who emerged as the standout performer, showcasing his control and consistency throughout the round.
