Scheffler Ties Course Record With 61 to Lead FedEx St. Jude Championship

Scottie Scheffler carded 11 birdies during a 9-under 61 on Friday to reach an 11-under 129 total at TPC Southwind.

Scottie Scheffler birdied his first five holes on Friday to card a 9-under 61, establishing a three-stroke lead at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The world’s top-ranked golfer reached a 36-hole total of 11-under 129 at TPC Southwind. His second-round performance included 11 birdies and two bogeys, matching the tournament course record in Memphis. Scheffler entered this playoff opener holding a 794-point advantage over Matt Fitzpatrick in the season-long standings.

Viktor Hovland and Sungjae Im sit in a tie for second place at 8 under par. Hovland posted a 4-under 64, while Im recorded his second consecutive round of 66. Ludvig Åberg remains in contention at 7 under following a Friday 65. Jordan Spieth, who held a share of the first-round lead, dropped back after shooting a 69 to reach 6 under. Spieth currently sits outside the top 50 in the points race, the cutoff required to advance to next week’s BMW Championship.

Scheffler Dominates TPC Southwind Heat

During a round played in 100-degree heat, Scheffler described his performance as a dream start, noting he could not recall a time he had been lower early in a professional round. Despite having played TPC Southwind seven times without a victory—his most frequent winless stop on the PGA Tour—he capitalized on close iron shots and successful putts. The leader noted that while the tournament is only halfway over, his two opening rounds provide a strong foundation for the weekend.

Viktor Hovland attributed his 64 to hitting a high volume of fairways, which he described as essential for scoring at this specific venue. The Norwegian golfer emphasized that missing fairways makes it exceptionally difficult to maintain a solid score at the Memphis course. Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick, who trails Scheffler in the season standings, sits at 3 under par after carding a 67 on Friday.

Playoff Implications and Signature Events

The stakes in Memphis extend beyond the trophy, as a top-50 ranking secures entry into all $20 million signature events for the upcoming season. Rory McIlroy, who played alongside Scheffler during the first two days, struggled to keep pace. Following an opening 74, McIlroy shot an even-par 70 to finish the second round at 4 over par, leaving him in a tie for 60th place.

Scheffler’s 61 ties the low mark for the tournament at this par-70 layout. He managed to navigate the difficult conditions by converting several birdie opportunities after his initial five-hole streak. The field is chasing a three-shot deficit heading into Saturday, with only five players currently within four strokes of the lead. As the playoff opener continues, the focus remains on the top 50 players who will qualify for the next stage of the postseason in their pursuit of the season title.