Scottie Scheffler’s two-stroke lead in the staggered start at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta evaporated after just one hole with a bogey and a birdie by closest competitor Xander Schauffele. Would it be the start of a memorable clash between the two best players of the year?
It’s too soon to say but Scheffler is attempting to suck all the drama out of the FedEx Cup trophy chase, shooting 6-under 65 on Thursday to open up a seven-stroke lead after the first round. He’s the first player to hold a lead of seven strokes or more after 18 holes of a Tour event on record (1983-present). Given that he’s won six times this season, it also was surprising to learn that it is Scheffler’s first lead after the first round since the 2022 Tour Championship. But for the 29 players chasing him there’s still hope: Scheffler is 0-for-3 to date with either the 18-hole lead or co-lead.
Here are five more things to know after Thursday’s action.