Scottie Scheffler Dominates First Round at Tour Championship, Takes Seven-Shot Lead Toward $25 Million Prize

Scottie Scheffler has surged to a commanding lead in the Tour Championship, posting a remarkable 6-under 65 in the first round. Starting with a two-shot advantage, Scheffler extended his lead to seven shots, a record margin after 18 holes in the tournament’s history.

On a sweltering day at the revamped East Lake course, Scheffler made five birdies over his final seven holes, including an impressive birdie from a bunker on the par-5 18th. His performance set him apart from Xander Schauffele and other competitors.

Scheffler, who began the tournament at 10-under par, benefited from his top seed position due to his six PGA Tour victories this season, including the Masters and The Players Championship. Despite his lead, Scheffler remained focused on executing his game plan rather than dwelling on the advantage.

Schauffele briefly closed the gap with an early birdie but struggled with missed putts and errant shots, allowing Scheffler to pull away. Schauffele admitted to a lackluster performance, while Scheffler maintained exceptional accuracy, hitting nearly every fairway and missing only two greens.

Scheffler’s impressive first-round score underscores his dominance, but the pursuit of the $25 million FedEx Cup bonus remains competitive. Notably, he was the top seed in 2022 but lost to Rory McIlroy despite a strong early lead.

Colin Morikawa, with a solid 66, will join Scheffler in the final group on Friday. The field also includes notable players like Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley, all looking to challenge Scheffler’s substantial lead.

With only one player over par on the redesigned East Lake course, the competition remains intense as Scheffler looks to secure his first FedEx Cup title.