Tour Championship Opening Round
Min Woo Lee fires a bogey-free 62 to lead the Tour Championship.
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Lee said his previous two weeks were 'very average' and 'the saddest I’ve been on the golf course,' but he still felt 'really lucky' to be in the Tour Championship and leading the FedExCup race.
2
Scottie Scheffler had been battling hand, foot and mouth disease last week, which left him with blisters on his feet, hands and throat, yet he still opened with a 65.
3
Four of Lee's eight birdies came from outside 10 feet, underscoring the variety in his bogey-free 62 and his steady approach play.
4
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood was part of a four-under group alongside Matt Fitzpatrick and Ryan Fox to start the week, highlighting the depth of the field at East Lake.
5
Lee’s only prior PGA Tour win came at the 2025 Houston Open, underscoring his rapid rise as he makes his Tour Championship debut.
Min Woo Lee shot a bogey-free 8-under 62 to seize a two-shot lead at East Lake in his Tour Championship debut. PGA Tour reported that the Australian matched his career best score while playing most of the round solo after J.J. Spaun withdrew with a shoulder injury, setting the pace in wet conditions with preferred lies in place.
Lee's opening round puts him ahead of a deep field that includes Scottie Scheffler at five under—despite recovering from hand, foot and mouth disease—and Viktor Hovland and Collin Morikawa at six under or better. TSN noted that Rory McIlroy, bidding to defend the FedExCup title, opened with a 68 and sits six shots back tied for 20th.
Lee's Unusual Solo Round Yields Eight Birdies
Playing without a partner for most of East Lake's opening 18 holes, Lee carded eight birdies with zero bogeys. ESPN reported that four of his birdies came from outside 10 feet, showcasing his varied approach play and steady ball-striking in rainy conditions.
Lee described his previous two weeks as "very average" and said he was "the saddest I've been on the golf course," according to PGA Tour. Yet he felt "really lucky" to compete in the Tour Championship and credited the unusual experience of leading without a partner for his focus.
Scheffler Opens Strong Despite Recent Illness
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler closed with two late birdies to shoot a five-under 65 and sit five shots back. ESPN noted that Scheffler had battled hand, foot and mouth disease the previous week, which left him with blisters on his feet, hands and throat.
His resilient opening round keeps Scheffler in contention at a crowded leaderboard where multiple players sit within five strokes of the lead heading into Friday's action.
McIlroy Stumbles Early but Stays Close
Rory McIlroy opened with two bogeys in his first four holes but rallied with birdies around the turn to finish at two-under 68. ESPN reported that McIlroy sits six shots behind Lee, in a tie for 20th place, as he pursues his first FedExCup title since 2016.
Deep Field Sets Stage for Dramatic Week Ahead
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood sits at four-under alongside Matt Fitzpatrick and Ryan Fox, while debutants and veterans alike pressed for position. PGA Tour emphasized the depth of the 30-player field competing to win the Tour Championship and claim the FedExCup title under the current format.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
16
Articles
137
Reach
153
A
AnonymousAuthor
