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 sluggish the world’s No. 1 participant. Scheffler already has eight victories this yr and is in place to get one other earlier than the top of the yr.
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 event towards a 20-man subject. Scheffler cooled barely on the again 9, besides it didn’t really feel that technique to him.
“Entrance 9, simply issues had been going my manner. Again 9, possibly not as a lot,” Scheffler mentioned. “A pair photographs may find yourself nearer to the outlet, a pair putts go in, simply little issues.”
Requested if he felt any frustration he didn’t take it decrease — he as soon as shot 59 on the TPC Boston through the FedExCup playoffs — Scheffler sounded bemused.
“I feel on this recreation I feel numerous all y’all are in search of perfection out of us,” he mentioned. “At present I shot 8 below on the golf course, not one thing I hold my head about. A number of good issues on the market — clear card, bogey-free, eight birdies. Total, I feel I’m fairly happy.”
Thomas felt his 67 was stress-free, notably the best way he was driving the ball. The wind laid down once more, uncommon for the Bahamas, although it’s anticipated to choose up on the weekend.
Thomas wasn’t involved to see Scheffler get off to a scorching 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 mushy because the greens are,” Thomas mentioned. “He’s a fantastic participant, a fantastic wedge participant, and you’ve got numerous birdie holes to begin. I’m truthfully stunned he solely shot 8 below. It’s a sneaky course as a result of in the event you go to sleep on some photographs, you may get out of place. However in the event you’re on and centered and actually accountable for the whole lot — like these final two days with no wind — you possibly can simply make so many birdies.”
Tee occasions and pairings for the third spherical of the Hero World Problem.
Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley had a 67 and was 4 photographs behind.
Regardless of how benign the situations, it wasn’t all the time straightforward. 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 method tumbled down the financial institution into the rocks framing the lake that goes all the best way down the 18th gap.
Patrick Cantlay was attempting to maintain tempo taking part in alongside Scheffler, however he had three bogeys over the ultimate seven holes and fell seven photographs behind with a 71.
The event, hosted by Tiger Woods, is unofficial however affords world rating factors to all however the backside three gamers due to the small subject. It’s 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 yr at No. 1 on the earth. And even after a layoff — giving him time to tinker with a brand new placing stroke — it seems prefer it may be some time earlier than anybody modifications that.
