NASSAU, Bahamas — Scottie Scheffler birdied each gap however the par-3s on the entrance 9 at Albany Golf Membership on Friday and completed his bogey-free spherical with an 8-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead within the Hero World Problem.
Two months off did nothing to gradual the world’s No. 1 participant. Scheffler already has eight victories this 12 months and is in place to get one other earlier than the tip of the 12 months.
Scheffler was at 13-under 131, two forward of Akshay Bhatia (66) and Justin Thomas (67), each of whom needed to save par on the 18th gap to remain in vary going into the weekend.
Scheffler began with a lob wedge to 2 toes for birdie and by no means slowed till after he went out in 29 to grab management of the vacation match towards a 20-man subject. Scheffler cooled barely on the again 9, besides it did not really feel that strategy to him.
Editor’s Picks
“Entrance 9, simply issues have been going my means. Again 9, possibly not as a lot,” Scheffler stated. “A pair pictures may find yourself nearer to the opening, a pair putts go in, simply little issues.”
Requested if he felt any frustration he did not take it decrease — he as soon as shot 59 on the TPC Boston through the FedEx Cup playoffs — Scheffler sounded bemused.
“I feel on this recreation I feel lots of all y’all are on the lookout for perfection out of us,” he stated. “Right this moment I shot 8 below on the golf course, not one thing I dangle my head about. A number of good issues on the market — clear card, bogey-free, eight birdies. General, I feel I am fairly happy.”
Thomas felt his 67 was stress-free, significantly the best way he was driving the ball. The wind laid down once more, uncommon for the Bahamas, although it’s anticipated to select up on the weekend.
Thomas wasn’t involved to see Scheffler get off to a sizzling begin, particularly with three par-5s on the entrance 9 and a brief par-4 that at worst leaves a flip wedge to the inexperienced.
“You actually can birdie each gap as tender because the greens are,” Thomas stated. “He is an excellent participant, an excellent wedge participant, and you’ve got lots of birdie holes to begin. I am actually shocked he solely shot 8 below. It is a sneaky course as a result of for those who go to sleep on some pictures, you may get out of place. However for those who’re on and centered and actually answerable for every part — like these final two days with no wind — you possibly can simply make so many birdies.”
Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley had a 67 and was 4 pictures behind.
Irrespective of how benign the circumstances, it wasn’t all the time simple. Cameron Younger, who opened with a 64 for a two-shot lead, adopted with a 75 regardless of making 5 birdies. That included a double bogey on the ultimate gap when his strategy tumbled down the financial institution into the rocks framing the lake that goes all the best way down the 18th gap.
Patrick Cantlay was making an attempt to maintain tempo taking part in alongside Scheffler, however he had three bogeys over the ultimate seven holes and fell seven pictures behind with a 71.
The match, hosted by Tiger Woods, is unofficial however presents world rating factors to all however the backside three gamers due to the small subject. It is the weakest subject in 25 years, however Scheffler at No. 1 offers it sufficient cachet.
He’s the primary participant since Woods in 2009 to begin and end a 12 months at No. 1 on the planet. And even after a layoff — giving him time to tinker with a brand new placing stroke — it seems to be prefer it is likely to be some time earlier than anybody modifications that.
