Scottie Scheffler has finally shaken off his slow-start reputation, delivering a commanding opening round at the PGA Championship that has the golf world buzzing.
The world number one carded a stellar three-under-par 67 at Aronimink, putting himself in a seven-way tie for the lead. For a player who has struggled with sluggish first rounds all season, this was a welcome change of pace. Scheffler has often found himself playing catch-up in recent tournaments, but that script was flipped on Thursday.
What made the round particularly impressive was Scheffler's newfound accuracy off the tee. His driving has been a persistent weakness throughout the year, but at Aronimink, he was finding fairways with remarkable consistency. On a course featuring punishing thick rough, that precision proved to be the difference-maker.
Scheffler took full advantage of the more forgiving front nine, finding his rhythm early and looking completely at ease even as conditions grew tricky. The result? A career-first achievement that might surprise even his biggest fans: for the first time ever, Scheffler is leading a major championship after 18 holes.
Yes, you read that correctly. Despite winning four major titles, Scheffler has never been in this position before. But what makes this feat even more ominous for the rest of the field is his recent form. Scheffler has finished runner-up in his last three events, mounting stirring weekend charges at The Masters and RBC Heritage before falling just short. Now that he's not giving the field a head start, his track record suggests he could run away with this tournament.
The leaderboard is as congested as any in modern major history. Seven players are tied at the top, and an astonishing 48 players are within three shots of the lead—the most in any major round in golf's modern era. Even Rory McIlroy, who struggled to a four-over round, remains within striking distance. It's a testament to how tight the competition is, and how one strong round can completely reshape the tournament.
For Scheffler, the message is clear: he's no longer playing catch-up. And for the rest of the field, that's a daunting thought.