Scottie Scheffler shoots 61, grabs 3-shot lead in Memphis playoff opener
Memphis, Tenn. (AP) — Golf sensation Scottie Scheffler shot an impressive 9-under 61 on Friday, grabbing a three-stroke lead in the FedEx St. Jude Championship's playoff opener. Amid scorching 11-degree Celsius heat at TPC Southwind, the top-ranked player posted 11 birdies and just two bogeys, securing an 11-under 129 total. The 31-year-old's score tied the tournament course record, which he holds from seven previous visits without a win.
Viktor Hovland and Sungjae Im shared the second-place position at 8-under, with Hovland carding a 64 and Im a second 66. Jordan Spieth tied the first-round lead at 6-under, posting a 69, though the Texas native struggles to secure a spot in the FedEx Cup standings. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy played alongside Scheffler for the first two rounds but finished tied for 60th at 4-over, trailing the leader by 14 strokes.
Canadian golfers Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Nick Taylor, and Corey Conners occupied higher spots in the leaderboard, with Yellamaraju and Taylor tied for ninth at 5-under, and Conners sharing 52nd at 2-over.
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