“Weekend Forecast” prepares you for golf’s major tours heading into the weekend. In this installment, PGA professional and RG Lead Golf Writer Brendon Elliott gets you up to speed on action on the PGA and LPGA Tours.
Scheffler Dazzles with Course Record-Tying 62 to Take Houston Open Lead
World No. 1 Showcases Complete Game at Memorial Park
Scottie Scheffler delivered a masterclass in precision golf Friday at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, tying the Memorial Park Golf Course record with a bogey-free 8-under 62 to seize the second-round lead at 11-under 129.
The world’s top-ranked player, who missed the first month of the season recovering from a glass puncture in his right palm that required minor surgery, displayed the form that has made him golf’s most dominant force. Scheffler opened with back-to-back birdies and never looked back, hitting nearly every green in regulation.
“Yesterday I felt like I made a couple key par saves, and today I felt like for the most part I kept the golf course in front of me, and I had a lot of looks for birdie,” Scheffler said. “So I didn’t feel like I was struggling for par too much, and that was mostly because I was in the fairway.”
The 62 matches Scheffler’s own course record from 2021, which he shares with Tony Finau, who shot the same score in both 2022 and 2024. It marked the eighth time in Scheffler’s career he has posted 62 or lower, including a 59 at TPC Boston during the 2020 FedExCup Playoffs.
Canada’s Taylor Pendrith sits one shot back after posting a 65, finishing strong with three birdies over his final five holes.
“Kind of hung around all day and was able to make a few late ones,” Pendrith said.
Colombia’s Nico Echavarria was also at 10-under but faced a challenging par chip from 45 feet on the 17th hole when play was suspended due to darkness following a two-hour storm delay.
McIlroy Rallies to Stay in Contention
Rory McIlroy, who began the second round 11 shots off the lead, mounted an impressive comeback with a 4-under 66 that included three consecutive birdies late in his round. The Northern Irishman now sits seven shots behind Scheffler heading into the weekend.
"It's the sort of golf course where it's easy to just make a ton of pars, not a lot of trouble out there, but you just need some putts to go in to make birdies," McIlroy explained.
Gary Woodland continued his inspiring return to form following brain surgery last year, firing a round that included six birdies in a seven-hole stretch to reach 7-under 133, four shots off the lead.
"I needed that. I haven't had a run like that," Woodland said. "I've been knocking on the door for a little while, and it's nice to see some results."
Ryan Gerard remained the player with the best chance to catch Scheffler, sitting at 9-under with seven holes still to complete in his second round when play resumes Saturday morning.
Korda Just Two Shots Back in Star-Studded Field
Lilia Vu overcame pre-round jitters on the practice range to card a flawless 8-under 64 Friday, taking a two-shot lead at the LPGA Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona.
Vu, a two-time major champion in 2023 who struggled with back issues last year, stands at 14-under 130 through 36 holes without a single bogey on her scorecard.
“Just focused on the shot in front of me and getting from point A to point B,” Vu said of her approach. “That really kind of helped me. Somehow just happened to play well. Felt like everything was grooving in the right spot.”
The tournament has drawn one of the strongest fields of the season, featuring all of the world’s top 10 players and 19 of the top 20, creating a leaderboard packed with star power.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda and second-ranked Jeeno Thitikul put on a spectacular show while playing together in the morning wave. Thitikul exploded out of the gates with a birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie start, going 6-under through her first six holes en route to a front-nine 29. Korda kept pace with a 31 on the same nine.
Thitikul finished with a 64 while Korda posted a 65, leaving both at 12-under 132, tied for second with England’s Charley Hull (69) and Nanna Koerstz Madsen.
Hull, who led after an opening 63, struggled to maintain momentum in Friday’s light winds, making just one birdie on the four par-5s while shooting a 3-under 69.
“I hit some really good chips out there and even some good saves and played solid. Just looking forward to the weekend now,” Hull said.
Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko produced one of the day’s most dramatic finishes, going birdie-eagle-birdie over her final three holes to make the cut and climb within five shots of the lead.
“Just with how firm the course is, I was kind of scratching my head on the 11th thinking, ‘Why does it feel like I had a poor ball-striking day?’” Ko said. “I didn’t, but just with how firm the greens are, sometimes it’s really hard to get really close to the pins.”
The cut fell at 4-under 140, with Canada’s Brooke Henderson barely making it on the number after following her opening 65 with a disappointing 75 on Friday.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
