In an impressive display of skill, Russell Henley took the lead at the 2025 Tour Championship held at the renowned East Lake Golf Club. The Georgia native showcased his exceptional golfing prowess by carding an astounding 9-under 61, which included seven birdies and an eagle, all without a single dropped shot. This flawless round propelled him to the top of the leaderboard, giving him a two-stroke advantage over world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and a three-stroke lead over a competitive group featuring Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, and Robert MacIntyre.
Henley's first-round performance was characterized by his remarkable putting skills, as he made a total of 207 feet of putts, marking the highest distance achieved in his PGA Tour career. This feat also stands as the largest distance at East Lake since 2004, according to golf analyst Justin Ray. Notably, Henley sank impressive long-range putts from 42 feet, 45 feet, and 37 feet, along with nine additional conversions from outside 5 feet. His exceptional putting resulted in him gaining over five strokes with the putter and nearly six total strokes on the field.
Reflecting on his performance, Henley stated, "I just felt like I was at peace if I missed. I felt like I was clear on my reads." He noted that his confidence had improved compared to the previous week, allowing him to read the greens more effectively and play with a sense of freedom.
Henley began his round with four consecutive pars before igniting his performance on the greens. Throughout the next 14 holes, he recorded ten birdies, including an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole and back-to-back birdies on holes 16 and 17. His final putt, converted from inside 12 feet, solidified his career-low round. Henley’s strategic approach to the game, characterized by finding the fairways and capitalizing on scoring opportunities, has made him a consistent contender in the FedEx Cup.
Despite his stellar start, Henley remains aware of the competition ahead. With 54 holes remaining in the tournament and a field filled with major champions, the challenge is far from over.
Following Henley is world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who also had a commendable round, finishing with a score of 63. Scheffler began his day with three birdies in his first six holes, displaying his talent and resilience. Even when faced with challenging situations, such as missing a fairway on No. 16 and having to chip out from behind a tree, he managed to maintain a clean card and secured a birdie on the next hole. Scheffler's consistent performance continues to solidify his reputation as a top contender.
Other notable players on the leaderboard include Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas, Robert MacIntyre, and Tommy Fleetwood, all tied at 6-under. Morikawa, who struggled with his putter earlier in the season, made significant improvements, gaining almost three strokes with the flat stick during his round. His dedication to refining his technique may position him for a top finish.
Among the 30 players in the Tour Championship, 12 have entered without a tournament win this season, relying on consistency to make their mark. While Henley leads, competitors like Akshay Bhatia and Jacob Bridgeman are also making their presence felt, vying for their first victories.
As the tournament progresses, updated odds have emerged, with Scottie Scheffler leading at 1-1, followed by Russell Henley at 4-1, and Tommy Fleetwood at 11-1. The odds reflect the tight competition and the potential for surprises as the event unfolds. With Henley and Fleetwood already showcasing their skills, keep an eye on Rory McIlroy, who is also in contention at 14-1. As the tournament continues, the excitement and intensity are sure to escalate, promising thrilling golf action at East Lake.
