"Friday Fore-cast" prepares you for golf's major tours heading into the weekend. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. In this installment, no rust for Young; JT positioning himself once again; what is Scottie up to?
Cameron Young Takes Early Two Shot Lead
At the conclusion of Thursday's first round of the Hero World Challenge, Cameron Young took center stage with an impressive 8-under par 64, good for a two-shot cushion heading into Friday. Right from the outset, Young showcased a remarkable blend of precision and control that turned heads and left spectators buzzing with excitement. It's always interesting to see how sharp players come out of the gate after a lengthy rest from competition. For Young, who hasn't teed it up since the BMW Championship in late August, there were little signs of rust. His performance was nothing short of clinical, as he set a blistering pace that left the rest of the field scrambling for breath. With eight birdies and no bogies on Thursday, the question on everyone's mind late Thursday was whether Young could maintain his momentum over the remaining rounds. Golf, after all, is as much a test of endurance as it is of skill, and Albany could still have surprises in store for Cam after his blistering start.
Justin Thomas Close Behind
Trailing closely in the wake of Young was Justin Thomas, who wrapped up his round with a stellar 6-under par 66. Thomas's play was a wonderful mix of methodical strategy and confident execution, embodying the traits that have firmly established him as one of the tour's elite over the past decade. Thomas's demeanor remained calm and collected throughout his round, which has proven to be one of the most critical components for him in recent years. Ending the day in second place, he has positioned himself well after 18 holes and could be knocking on the door of his next victory, which has not happened since the 2022 PGA at Southern Hills. Thomas has been on the cusp of finding his winning ways again, most recently at the ZOZO in late October. With the leaderboard tightly bunched out of the gate, JT fans will eagerly anticipate how he responds to his good start moving into the weekend.
Scheffler Leads a Group of Five Three Back in Third
As the sun set on the first day of play, the race for third place intensified, with players solidifying their positions behind Young and Thomas. Leading a fierce group of five competitors, Scottie Scheffler finished the day at 5-under par, a commendable score that put him in a tie with Cantlay, Åberg, Theegala, and Bhatia, all of whom are formidable contenders. With only a few strokes separating these heavy hitters from Cam's perch at the top, Friday's second round will be crucial as they continue to position themselves heading into the weekend.
Scottie Scheffler's New Claw Grip
Among the noteworthy stories of the day was Scottie Scheffler's striking adoption of the "Claw" grip, a strategic modification aimed at refining his performance on shorter putts. This shift in technique is always a gamble in the high-stakes world of professional golf, but it appeared to pay dividends for Scheffler during the round. I was captivated by his willingness to experiment mid-tournament, a feat not often attempted successfully by the world's top players, let alone the top guy, who has been so dominant the past few years. His decision to embrace the "Claw," a technique that has garnered both fans and critics, illustrates an intriguing aspect of Scottie's game: adaptability. Should Scheffler continue to harness this adjustment, it could be a significant advantage in the upcoming rounds and into 2025, adding an extra layer of confidence in one of the only real weak spots in his incredible game. Of course, his counterparts don't need the best in the world to get even better, a frightening prospect for them all.
The opening round of the Hero World Challenge was full of storylines. From Cameron Young's two-shot lead to Justin Thomas's poise and confidence after his great start and on to Scheffler's putting experimentation, Thursday was interesting in the Bahamas. As we look ahead, it's clear that Albany will be the stage for a spectacular showdown moving into the weekend.
