The tournament announced overnight that world No.1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler leads the initial commitment list of 17 players while three spots in the 20-player field remain open for exemptions – one of which Woods filled a year ago.
After having the year he had, Schauffele had to wonder what it would take to unseat Scottie Scheffler. As player of the year, as world No.1, etc. Well, he was asked that exact question at this week’s Zozo Championship in Japan and he summed it up perfectly.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler put the bow on a magical season when he lifted the PGA Tour’s ultimate prize, the FedEx Cup for the first time at the Playoffs finale, the Tour Championship. His four-stroke triumph made it a grand total of seven victories in 2024 where he was also the gold medal winner at the Paris Olympic Games. This is his blog from East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta.
At 16-under-par when combined with his 10-under starting score, Scheffler owns the largest lead after 18 holes on the PGA Tour since at least 1983 (when records began to be kept), though it won’t count as a record due to the staggered-start format.
The tour’s rules committee had contemplated internal OB at the beginning of the week before deciding against it, believing the change would be too penal. However, with a number of players asserting their intentions to circumvent the 18th, the tour decided to reverse course.
Six times a winner on the PGA Tour this season, including the Masters and the Olympic gold medal, Scheffler has to think that the third time is absolutely, positively the charm at East Lake Golf Club.
East Lake Golf Club’s extensive restoration under architect Andrew Green has this year’s crop of 30 players feeling like they’re playing it for the first time.
Australian Golf Digest
