Collin Morikawa fires 61 to share lead with Keegan Bradley and Victor Hovland at PGA Tour finale
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Scottie Scheffler lines up a putt on the 11th green during the first round of the Tour Championship.
Photo: Getty Images via AFP
ATLANTA – Two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa kept his “foot on the pedal” as his nine-under 61 seized a share of the lead in Thursday’s opening round of the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship, while top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and injured Rory McIlroy struggled.
Scheffler, the reigning Players Championship winner, began the day on 10 under at East Lake in Atlanta with a two-stroke lead over Norway’s Viktor Hovland thanks to staggered scoring based upon season point totals.
But the American was undone by a triple bogey at the par-three 15th, finding water off the tee and needing three putts to finish, as his season points edge evaporated after he fired a 71.
Morikawa, who began on one under and nine adrift of Scheffler, fired the lowest first round in Tour Championship history, making seven birdies and an eagle on a bogey-free day.
“I’ve grinded my butt off. I’ve spent way too much time out there,” he said.
“But I figured some things out. It’s obviously nice to see.
“You’ve got to have your foot on the pedal. This is the end of our season for a reason. Even though I had a great round today I want to keep doing that for next few.”
The 61 was Morikawa’s career-low PGA Tour round, one better than his final round at the 2022 Tournament of Champions, and one off the course record of 60 shot by Zach Johnson in 2007.
Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa began on 1-under and nine strokes adrift of Scheffler, but fired a stunning nine-under par 61.
PHOTO: AFP
Due to the odd scoring format, he was on 10 under and shared the lead with fellow American Keegan Bradley, who opened with a 63, and Hovland, who shot 68, with Scheffler fourth on nine under.
“I’m pretty frustrated with how I played,” Scheffler said. “I guess it’s a little bit of a blessing to have a pretty bad day and still be in the tournament. So go out there tomorrow and just keep fighting.”
Defending champion McIlroy, the world No. 2 and four-time Major winner, struggled through back pain with a 70 to finish three off the pace, exactly where he began the day.
The Northern Irishman suffered the injury while exercising at home on Tuesday and did not practice before his round.
“My whole lower back spasmed, seized up. I couldn’t move,” the 34-year-old said. “I honestly couldn’t address the ball this time yesterday. So to get to where I am today is good.”
Defending champion Rory McIlroy battled lower back pain.
PHOTO: AFP
Bradley, who began seven off the lead, was thrilled after birdies on three of the last four holes to finish a bogey-free round.
“It was one of those days where everything was going right,” he said.
“I made a bunch of putts, I hit the ball great and when I missed some shots I hit them in great spots and got them up and in.” AFP
