2025 Tour Championship Leaderboard: Russell Henley Dominates Round 1 with Stunning 61, Outshining Scottie Scheffler!

Russell Henley wowed spectators at East Lake Golf Club during the first round of the 2025 Tour Championship. The Georgia native lit up the course with a stunning 9-under 61, including seven birdies and an eagle, leaving him two shots clear of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

Remarkably, Henley navigated the greens with precision, making 207 feet of putts. This is the most he has ever achieved in a round on the PGA Tour, and the highest at East Lake since 2004. He drained long putts of 42, 45, and 37 feet, leading to a significant five strokes gained with the putter.

“I just felt at peace, even if I missed,” Henley shared. His confidence stemmed from a more relaxed mindset compared to his previous week, where he struggled with reads on the greens.

He began the day slowly with four pars, but soon exploded onto the leaderboard, marking ten 3s on his scorecard over the next 14 holes, including a brilliant eagle on the par-5 sixth. He finished the round with a final putt that sealed his career-low score.

Although Henley has performed consistently, the tournament is far from over. With 54 holes remaining, he must fend off fierce competition from multiple major champions, including Scheffler, who also had a solid round.

Scheffler, demonstrating his formidable skills, ended the day with a 63 after shining through challenging moments. Even when faced with tough situations, such as being stuck behind a tree on the 16th hole, he maintained his composure and returned to the top of the leaderboard.

For Henley, this strong start follows a promising end to last year’s Tour Championship, indicating a solid trajectory. His playing style contrasts with many on the tour today—Henley ranks last in driving distance but excels at hitting the fairway and capitalizing on his putting. “The softer greens compared to last year made things more gettable,” he said.

As the tournament progresses, many players vying for the top, including major champions Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay, are right behind Henley. Interestingly, among the 30 players who qualified this year, 12 haven’t won a tournament this season but are proving their consistency can lead to big wins. Notably, Akshay Bhatia, who barely made the cut, began with a strong 66.

This year’s championship also sparks discussions about potential first-time winners. Historical trends indicate that first-time winners have been increasingly common in major tournaments. Recent statistics reveal that about 40% of players finishing in the top positions at major events have not won a title this season, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the sport.

As the leaderboard continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how Henley and his competitors fare in the remaining rounds of the Tour Championship.

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