Imagine stepping onto the golf course after a hiatus, only to find yourself just one stroke behind the leaders in a high-stakes tournament. That’s exactly what Scottie Scheffler did at The American Express in La Quinta, California, marking his first PGA Tour appearance of the season. But here’s where it gets intriguing: despite not having played competitively this year, the world number one fired a stunning nine-under 63, positioning himself as a serious contender for the £1,236,000 ($1.656m) prize. And this is the part most people miss—Scheffler has never won this tournament, making his performance even more noteworthy.
After the first round, the leaderboard is packed with talent. Australia’s Min Woo Lee and America’s Pierceson Coody share the lead at 10-under, with Scheffler hot on their heels at nine-under. He’s joined by a diverse group, including Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, South Korea’s Si Woo Kim, and former US PGA champion Jason Day. But here’s the controversial twist: the tournament’s unique format has players rotating across three different courses before the cut on Saturday, adding an extra layer of unpredictability. Does this format favor consistency or reward adaptability? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Scheffler’s round was nothing short of impressive, with five birdies in his first six holes setting the tone. Meanwhile, Coody stole the show on the back nine, carding an astonishing 29 with back-to-back birdies. Other notables include Adam Scott and Harris English at seven-under, and Matt Wallace at six-under. For a full breakdown, check out the leaderboard here.
Here’s the burning question: Can Scheffler turn this strong start into his first American Express victory, or will the unconventional course rotation throw a wrench in his plans? Share your predictions below—this is one tournament you won’t want to miss!
