MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) 鈥� 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.
鈥淩eally just a dream start,鈥� Scheffler said. 鈥淧robably one of the best starts I鈥檝e had on tour, to be honest with you. I couldn鈥檛 tell you a time where I鈥檝e been lower early in the round.鈥�
The top-ranked Scheffler had 11 birdies and two bogeys in 100-degree heat at TPC Southwind in the playoff opener. He had an 11-under 129 total.
鈥淭he tournament is halfway over,鈥� Scheffler said. 鈥淚 had two good rounds to start and hopefully continue that over the weekend.鈥�
Scheffler tied the tournament course record.
鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 say golf鈥檚 ever easy,鈥� Scheffler. 鈥淚 did some good things out there. I hit some iron shots in there close and was able to hole a few putts as well.鈥�
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.
鈥淚t was really nice, really solid,鈥� Hovland said. 鈥淗it a lot of fairways, and I think that鈥檚 a big deal for my game, but also especially at this golf course. I think it鈥檚 really difficult to score if you鈥檙e missing fairways.鈥�
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 FedExCup 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.
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