AFTER the grueling test of the US Open, the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands offered a welcome change of pace, despite similarly long rough.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler wasted no time finding his stride, carding an exceptional eight-under 62 to share the lead with Austin Eckroat after the first round Thursday (Friday, June 20, 2025, PH time).
Scheffler’s round was highlighted by a particularly pure 3-iron on the 236-yard, par-5 13th, a shot he called “perfect” that landed 10 feet from the pin for a birdie.
“It was pretty much exactly what I was trying to do,” Scheffler noted, explaining how hitting it solid was crucial with water guarding the front of the green.
This kind of pinpoint accuracy, even for Scheffler who rarely hits offline, boosted his confidence. He recalled only two other shots in recent years that provided such a feeling: a 6-iron at the 2022 Masters and a 9-iron at the 2023 Players Championship. For a player who hasn’t finished outside the top 10 since March, this added confidence is a formidable asset.
Rory McIlroy, who finished bogey-free with a 66, described the course as a “nice tonic” compared to the US Open, where the penalty for errant shots was far more severe. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark also shot 64.
A surprise co-leader, Eckroat, showed a resurgence in form, overcoming a challenging season that included eight missed cuts. He attributed his strong play to eliminating a left miss, particularly evident in his final six holes, which he played in 5-under, including a 35-foot eagle putt on the 13th.
“I wasn’t fearing the left ball today, which is huge,” Eckroat said, expressing how good it felt to regain confidence.
Meanwhile, Cameron Young endured a rocky start, carding a double bogey on his very first hole after navigating Oakmont for four days without one.
However, he quickly rebounded with eight birdies, aided by his father, Dave Young, stepping in as caddie due to his regular caddie battling a stomach virus. / FROM THE WIRES