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Scottie Scheffler’s Opening-Round Lead and Early Reviews of East Lake: Key Highlights from the 2024 Tour Championship

Scottie Scheffler’s Opening-Round Lead and Early Reviews of East Lake: Key Highlights from the 2024 Tour Championship

Scottie Scheffler’s initial two-stroke lead in the staggered start at the 2024 Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club quickly vanished after just one hole, as Xander Schauffele countered with a bogey and a birdie. Could this mark the beginning of a thrilling showdown between the year’s top two players?

While it’s too early to predict, Scheffler is making a strong statement in the FedEx Cup chase. With a 6-under 65 on Thursday, he opened up a commanding seven-stroke lead after the first round, setting a record for the largest margin after 18 holes in a Tour event (1983-present). Despite his six wins this season, this is Scheffler’s first lead after the first round since the 2022 Tour Championship. However, his history shows he’s 0-for-3 with the 18-hole lead or co-lead, leaving room for the 29 players trailing him to make a comeback.

Here are five more key takeaways from Thursday’s action.

After an opening bogey, Scheffler refocused and began his birdie spree, making a 4-foot putt on the third hole and sinking a 33-footer on No. 7. He then collected three consecutive birdies starting at No. 12, extending his lead to four strokes. He capped off his round with birdies at 17 and 18, shooting a 65 for the lowest round of the day and widening his initial two-stroke lead to seven strokes after the first round.

“I’m trying not to focus too much on the starting strokes,” Scheffler said. “It still feels a bit unconventional since it’s not a traditional event. But it was great to get off to a strong start, and I’m pleased with how I played today.”

While Xander Schauffele’s 1-under 70 at East Lake extended his streak to 29 consecutive rounds at par or better, it was not a standout performance. Schauffele faced challenges off the tee, particularly on the back nine.

“I believe I scored reasonably well considering how poorly I hit the ball,” Schauffele remarked. “Overall, it was an unremarkable day—neither something to take pride in nor something to be disappointed by.”

After starting strong with a 9-foot birdie on the first hole to briefly tie for the lead, Schauffele encountered difficulties. He recorded bogeys at Nos. 11 and 15 and closed the back nine with a 1-over 37. Currently tied for second place, he trails by seven strokes and will compete in the second-to-last group on Friday.

Birdie All Around On Thursday

East Lake Golf Club appeared more challenging, but Thursday’s play belied that expectation. Numerous birdies characterized the day’s action, with notable performances from several players. Sahith Theegala closed strongly with five birdies in his final six holes, finishing with a 67. Collin Morikawa excelled by making six consecutive birdies on the back nine—his longest streak as a professional—en route to a 66, moving to 9-under.

Adam Scott, who advanced to the FedEx Cup finale by finishing second last week, continued his strong form with a 5-under 66. This marked his eighth consecutive first-round score under par. Scott expressed his surprise at the low scoring conditions, stating, “I thought the course was playing tougher. I’m not sure if they used easier pins today or if it was just a warm-up for us. I didn’t anticipate so many mid-60s scores.”

Wyndham Clark, who began his round with a slow start at 2-over through five holes, rallied with an eagle and six birdies to finish with a 67. He noted, “The greens were set up with relatively benign pins, considering how firm they are.”

Justin Thomas, starting the day 10 strokes back, carded seven birdies, including two on his final holes, to shoot a 5-under 66. Thomas remarked, “The greens were holding better than expected. I’m not sure if they applied extra water or adjusted the setup.”

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