Fresh off an eight-shot win in Memphis, the largest winning margin at TPC Southwind in nearly 70 years, Scottie Scheffler opened the BMW Championship on Thursday with a 2-over 72 at Bellerive Country Club.
His highest first-round score since the U.S. Open in June. He was four-over through his first seven holes before steadying himself enough to limit the damage.
After first round, Scheffler skipped his usual round of post-round interviews.
The Dallas Morning News and the Associated Press both reported that he said only that he was sick as he hurried toward the clubhouse.
Scottie Scheffler Sheds Light on His Health
Playing early Friday on fresher greens, Scheffler flipped the script with a 5-under 65.
“I wasn’t feeling a hundred percent yesterday,” he admitted, adding that he still wasn’t back to full strength. He planned to head home and rest rather than linger at the course. He was careful, though, to frame his tournament as still alive.
Round 2 wrapped up with Wyndham Clark holding a one-shot lead over Gary Woodland. There were six players within five strokes of the top. Scheffler, at 3-under for the tournament.
“I didn’t get off to a good start today either, but did a good job of fighting back,” Scheffler added. “I made a good bogey there on 6, nice birdie on 7, good par on 9, and was able to get some momentum on the back.”
Scottie Scheffler’s Record at Stake in East Lake
The Tour Championship, that comes next week at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, features the top 30 players in the FedEx Cup standings competing for a standalone $40 million purse. $10 million goes to the winner.
All 30 players start even in a conventional 72-hole stroke-play event, meaning whoever wins the tournament outright wins the FedEx Cup. Scheffler stands to pass Tiger Woods in all time PGA Tour career earnings. He is only short of a million to claim the spot for himself.
Tommy Fleetwood claimed his first PGA Tour title and the FedEx Cup with it, at East Lake last year. This happened despite arriving without a victory that season.
It’s a reminder that Scheffler’s commanding spot on the points list guarantees nothing once he tees it up in Atlanta. Illness or not, he’ll have to beat the field outright.
Scottie Scheffler Shares Abrupt Health Concern Ahead of $40 Million Finale