Three Tied for Lead in Atlanta, Many Are Outside Looking In
Friday, August 23, 2019

    The first round of the Tour Championship is in the books and it appears as though much of the suspense surrounding the season finale is already gone. Xander Schauffele zipped around the East Lake course in Atlanta in 6-under 64 and is tied for the lead based on the new scoring system that assigned various under-par numbers to each player following their performances in the Northern Trust and BMW events. Schauffele went in as a minus 4, so added to his 6 under yesterday, he is now at -10 along with Brooks Koepka (-3 and -7) and Justin Thomas (even and -10). 

    Rory McIlroy (-4 and -5) is right in the hunt at -9, as are Matt Kuchar (-4 and -4) and Patrick Cantlay (even and -8).   

    There are only 30 in the field, and the players who didn't break the par of 70 in the opener appear to have little chance to win. Included in the group nine or more strokes behind the leaders are Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and a few others. In all, there are 14 who are eight or more strokes off the pace and it will take a herculean effort by any to threaten at the top. There are too many others between the leaders and those near the bottom.

    By the time this one winds up on Sunday evening, there will have been more speculation than has been said and written about Trump's chances to repeat in 2020.  

     

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