As usual, the best players on the PGA Tour are looking up at Scottie Scheffler.
The No. 1 player in the world broke open a seven-shot lead on the field after one round of the Tour Championship thanks to a 6-under-par 65 on Thursday at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
The tournament began with Scheffler at 10 under par and Xander Schauffele in second place at 8 under, as a staggered scoring start based on the season-long points race will help determine the FedEx Cup at week’s end.
Playing in the final pairing Thursday, Schauffele hung with Scheffler for 10 holes before several wayward tee shots brought him down a few spots. Scheffler hit the gas with three straight birdies at Nos. 12-14 and finished his round birdie-birdie to get to 16 under for the tournament.
Schauffele had to settle for a 1-under 70 and shares second place at 9 under with Collin Morikawa (66). Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who began the tournament in third at 7 under, also posted a 70 to join a tie for fourth at 8 under with Sam Burns (67), Wyndham Clark (67), Keegan Bradley (69) and Australia’s Adam Scott (66).
The 30-man field will return to the course Friday, when scattered thunderstorms are in the forecast for hot and humid Atlanta. There is no 36-hole cut. The winner after 72 holes will take home the FedEx Cup and a $25 million prize.
