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 yr and is in place to get one other earlier than the tip 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 ft 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 discipline. Scheffler cooled barely on the again 9, besides it didn’t really feel that technique to him.
“Entrance 9, simply issues have 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 throughout the FedExCup playoffs — Scheffler sounded bemused.
“I believe on this sport I believe quite a lot of all y’all are on the lookout for perfection out of us,” he mentioned. “Right now I shot 8 beneath on the golf course, not one thing I dangle my head about. A variety of good issues on the market — clear card, bogey-free, eight birdies. General, I believe I’m 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 smooth because the greens are,” Thomas mentioned. “He’s an excellent participant, an excellent wedge participant, and you’ve got quite a lot of birdie holes to start out. I’m truthfully shocked he solely shot 8 beneath. 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 targeted and actually in charge of every part — like these final two days with no wind — you may 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 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 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 match, hosted by Tiger Woods, is unofficial however provides world rating factors to all however the backside three gamers due to the small discipline. It’s the weakest discipline in 25 years, however Scheffler at No. 1 offers it sufficient cachet.
He’s the primary participant since Woods in 2009 to start out 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 appears prefer it could be some time earlier than anybody modifications that.
