MEMPHIS, Tenn. – If Thursday’s round at TPC Southwind was a microcosm of Scottie Scheffler’s season, Friday’s effort was a wistful glimpse into how he could close out his 2026 campaign.
Following an all-to-familiar day of lip-outs and near-misses to begin his week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the world No. 1 charged in 54 feet of putts to birdie six of his first seven holes in Round 2. As a bookend, he closed with three consecutive birdies on Nos. 15-17. It totaled a 9-under 61 and a three-shot lead at the turn of the PGA Tour’s playoff opener.
It was a striking turnaround for a player who admitted his patience was tested on Day 1 in Memphis with 33 putts and too many missed opportunities.
“Yesterday was a day in which I felt like I played better than my score, but also early in the round I was out of the fairway a lot,” Scheffler said. “It could have been a day in which my score could have definitely been worse, and it definitely could have been a lot better. But today was a day in which I felt I got a lot out of the round.”
Scheffler’s “dream” start began with birdies at Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. For the day he finished with 110 feet of putts made and 13 one-putts. He’s also third in the field in strokes gained: putting, picking up 3.76 shots on Friday which is more than three shots better than his season average.
“That’s why I talked about being patient yesterday because I felt like I played a little better than my score,” Scheffler said. “It was nice to get out there early and knock in some putts and give myself some really good looks as well.”
Scheffler could even relish in his mistakes, like his tee shot that found a water hazard at the 12th hole. That led to bogey, which he countered with a birdie at the 13th hole. It was a similar scenario with a birdie at No. 10 following his only other bogey at the eighth hole.
“Nice to bounce back and keep that momentum going,” he said.
Although Scheffler won the regular-season FedExCup points race and is the front-runner for a fifth-consecutive Player of the Year season, there has been some frustration in the fact that his lone victory came in January at The American Express. To win this week’s event, where he’s finished inside the top 5 the last two years, would be a boost on both fronts with two events remaining this season.
