Overview

• Akshay Bhatia opened with a career-best eight-under 62 at TPC Southwind to seize a one-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood in the first round.
• World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler carded a three-under 67 and sits five shots behind Bhatia while seeking his fifth win of the season.
• Rory McIlroy, second in FedEx Cup standings, opted to skip the inaugural playoff event, prompting PGA Tour officials to signal potential revisions to mandatory participation rules.
• The FedEx Cup playoffs use a no-cut format that advances the top 50 from Memphis to next week’s BMW Championship and then narrows to 30 for the Tour Championship at East Lake.
• High-profile players including Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm and Patrick Cantlay enter the postseason still chasing their first victory of the 2025 season.