MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler birdied the first five holes and shot a 9-under 61 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
The top-ranked Scheffler had 11 birdies and two bogeys in 38 Celsius heat at TPC Southwind in the playoff opener. He had an 11-under 129 total.
Scheffler tied the tournament course record. He has played the TPC Southwind more times (seven) without winning than any other course on the PGA Tour.
Viktor Hovland and Sungjae Im were tied for second at 8 under. Hovland had a 64, and Im shot his second 66.
Ludvig Aberg was 7 under after a 65.
Jordan Spieth shot 69 to get to 6 under. He was part of a four-way tie for the first-round lead. Spieth is outside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup who advance to the BMW Championship next week.
Scheffler entered the week with a 794-point lead over Matt Fitzpatrick in the FedEx Cup standings. Fitzpatrick was 3 under after a 67.
So much emphasis is on getting into the top 50 because that locks up all the $20 million signature events for next season.
Rory McIlroy played alongside Scheffler the first two days. He followed an opening 74 with a 70, leaving him tied for 60th at 4 over.
Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., is the top Canadian. He's tied for ninth with four others at 5 under. Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., is in an eight-way tie for 19th at 3 under. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., is in a two-way tie for 52nd at 2 over.
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The Associated Press
