Tour Championship - Russell Henley runs riot at East Lake

The first round of the 2025 TOUR Championship at East Lake set a fierce pace for one of the season’s most coveted prizes. Russell Henley ignited the day, posting a career-best 9-under 61—thanks to a record 207 feet of putts holed—taking a two-shot lead into Friday. Henley’s finish was emphatic: three birdies in his closing three holes, lifting him well clear of a world-class field and putting him firmly on course for the FedExCup glory.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, the betting favorite and defending champion, carded a bogey-free 7-under 63. His round blended flawless ball-striking with clinical control across East Lake’s demanding layout, finishing two shots behind Henley and setting up a tantalizing chase. Scheffler’s poised attack down the stretch, and a key par save at 16, highlighted his consistency and ability to stay composed under playoff pressure.

Justin Thomas fired a bold 6-under 64, capitalizing on an aggressive front nine and closing with a birdie at 18—his best round at East Lake in two years. Rory McIlroy rallied with a 4-under 66, including a dramatic birdie at 18, and Tommy Fleetwood kept his name in contention with a sharp 5-under 65. The top of the board is heavy with proven winners, each focused on the historic $10 million payout on Sunday.

The story of the day belonged first to Henley—the man whose putter blazed hottest when the shadows lengthened—and then to the elite chasers, with Scheffler ominously placed and Thomas aggressive as ever. As the TOUR Championship continues, every shot will now carry the weight of the playoff finale, and the battle at East Lake is set for high drama and a champion’s test of nerves.

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