Scottie Scheffler’s Tour Championship lead slips to four shots as rivals catch up

ATLANTA – Scottie Scheffler has company.

Having entered the day with a seven-shot cushion at the Tour Championship, his 36-hole lead was cut to only four strokes after he posted a five-under 66 at East Lake Golf Club on Aug 30.

Collin Morikawa, playing with the world No. 1 in the final pairing, made nine birdies on his way to an eight-under 63.

After the tournament’s staggered scoring start handed Scheffler a two-shot edge to start the week, he now stands at 21-under 131 and Morikawa at 17 under.

Xander Schauffele re-entered the conversation as well, with a flawless 64 that boosted him to 16 under.

“I mean, it’s the second round of a tournament. It’s just the second round,” Scheffler said.

“It’s a long tournament. Just trying to do my best to stay out there and execute shots, and today I did a pretty good job of that.”

There was no 36-hole cut as the top 30 players in the FedExCup standings compete for the season-long championship. The winner after 72 holes will take home the FedExCup and a US$25 million (S$32.6 million) prize.

Scheffler, vying for his first FedExCup title, added that his seven-shot advantage was the product of some of his competitors not having their best stuff in the first round.

“Then today was a day where I had a ‘big lead’,” he said, deploying air quotes with his fingers.

“But there was a huge group of guys right there, so obviously some guys are going to play pretty well. But I did a good job of staying in my own world out there and put up a good round of golf.”

Morikawa was asked if he enjoyed playing alongside Scheffler as it allowed him to keep tabs on his rival, but he said he remained focused on his own task.

“He’s such a good player that you just know he’s going to keep going low and making birdies. I saw that first-hand. I’ve seen it for years. For me, it’s just keep my foot on the gas and keep sticking to my game plan,” he added.

Schauffele felt the same, that twice Masters champion Scheffler will hardly make mistakes and that he has to up his own game.

“(Scottie’s) been killing everyone at that all year. I know he’s not going to let up, so there’s only one way to get him,” the PGA Championship and British Open champion said.

Sahith Theegala (66), Wyndham Clark (67) and Australia’s Adam Scott (67) were tied for fourth at 12 under.

“It’s going to be very tough to catch up with (Scheffler),” Clark said.

“He’d have to not play his best, and I’d have to play unbelievable.” REUTERS, AFP