The real Scottie Scheffler returned at the FedEx St Jude with a historic second-round performance.
The world number one shot a course-record-tying 61 at TPC Southwind to storm into the lead of the first FedEx Cup Playoff event of the year. And he did it with two bogeys on the scorecard!
After his round, Scheffler said it was the best start to a round he can remember having on the PGA Tour. He started Friday with five straight birdies, an ominous sign for the rest of the field. He was six-under through seven holes.
Another five birdies on the back nine completed an incredible round, and when you dive into the numbers, it’s clear to see why TPC Southwind had no answer for the four-time major winner.
Scottie Scheffler achieves PGA Tour first at FedEx St Jude
During his second round of the FedEx St Jude, Scheffler led the field in both Strokes Gained: Approach and Strokes Gained: Putting. He gained a ridiculous 3.87 strokes with his irons and 3.28 with his putter to take the lead going into the weekend.
This is the first time that he’s led a field in both of these categories in his PGA Tour career. Not even over the last two seasons, where he won nine times thanks to his elite iron play and putting, did Scheffler accomplish this feat.
Scheffler’s total Strokes Gained on the day was 8.54, exactly three strokes better than the next-best player, Viktor Hovland.
In a season where he hasn’t quite been at his brilliant best, Scheffler reminded the world that he’s still a long way ahead of every other player on the planet.
Scottie Scheffler reacts to tying the course record at TPC Southwind
It was immediately apparent that Scheffler was in the mood to go low after his red-hot start to his second round.
Speaking afterward, he said he couldn’t name a time that he’s started a round better on the PGA Tour.
He said, “You always want to try to get off to a good start. I was able to do that today. Really just a dream start. Probably one of the best starts I’ve had on Tour, to be honest with you. I couldn’t tell you a time when I’ve been lower early in the round. Yeah, just a good start, and I was able to continue to strike the ball and execute.
“Yesterday was a day in which I felt like I played better than my score, but also early in the round I was out of the fairway a lot. So it could have been a day in which my score could have definitely been worse, and it definitely could have been a lot better. But today was a day in which I felt I got a lot out of the round.”
He takes a three-shot lead into the weekend, which would have meant we’d all be handing him the trophy last season. This year he’s not been so consistent throughout the week, so there’s still work to be done for the best player alive.