Scottie Scheffler and Austin Eckroat went scorched earth on the Travelers Championship on their first laps, Scheffler making a 62 look entirely ordinary. The tourney was held at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. Competitors put their skill and resilience on display, particularly as they faced the opening day’s dangerous conditions.
Scheffler certainly made a standout impression, going 30 on the front nine. His performance featured a turning point on the par-5 13th hole when he was faced with a 236-yard approach. He expertly hit a 3-iron across a lake to inside 10 feet from the hole.
I had no anxiety of the left ball coming today, and that’s huge, Eckroat, said Eckroat. It’s like once you get confident in one area of your game, the rest of it all starts to fall into place. He closed out the final six holes in a bogey-free, 5-under par, culminating with a 35-foot eagle putt on the par-5 12th.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was less dramatic, but no less impressive in his round, playing a bogey-free 64. He finished the regular 18 holes tied with Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark, the last of whom cruised through a bogey-free round. Bradley, America’s Ryder Cup captain, reaffirmed his top-notch shotmaking with a sizzling performance. Alongside McIlroy and Clark, they formed a thrilling opens leaderboard.
Cameron Young had a mountain to climb but gave evidence of his outstanding talent with eight birdies all around his card. That was how it started, with a brutal three-putt from 25 feet for a double bogey on the opening hole. Young’s day then took another difficult turn when his caddie got sick with a stomach virus. His dad, Dave Young didn’t wait around to take action.
Cameron Young on the challenging nature of the course, “I was able to get around Oakmont for four days without doubles. Just to make it through here with no of those holes.
Fatigue from the intense heat took its toll on scores including J.J. Spaun, the reigning U.S. Open champion. He suffered issues that left him unable to stay with pace with the front runners.
As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on Scheffler and Eckroat. Both players are looking to keep the good times rolling as they battle the cut-throat tone set by first-day leader, Keegan Bradley, at TPC River Highlands. It’ll be interesting to see how established stars like McIlroy and Bradley are received. What awaits in the next rounds will surely bring the fireworks and tension!
Leave a Reply