Scottie Scheffler reminds everyone why he's world No. 1, ties course record at TPC Southwind

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The world No. 1 finally put on a world No. 1 performance.

Since coming out on top at The American Express in his first start of 2026, Scheffler has been winless – but not unsuccessful. He has 11 top 10s, including five runner-up finishes, and is still in contention in the Player of the Year race.

Still, that second win has been elusive. And there is no better time for a win than the FedExCup Playoffs.

Scottie Scheffler tied the TPC Southwind course record with a 9-under 61 Friday, firmly announcing his presence atop the leaderboard.

Scheffler began his second round – at 11:30 a.m. CT – six shots back of Sungjae Im, who finished his day 8-under par. By 1 p.m., the Texan had made six birdies on his first seven holes, including five straight to open his round.

“It's like you always want to try to get off to a good start,” Scheffler said after his round. “I was able to do that today. Really just a dream start. Probably one of the best starts I've had on TOUR, to be honest with you. I couldn't tell you a time where I've been lower early in the round.”

A bogey on the par-3 eighth seemed to barely slow down his momentum. A par on No. 9 saw Scheffler make the turn in 30, before getting back in his groove at the par-4 10th with his seventh birdie of the round.

Scheffler’s only true blemish came at the 12th. Scheffler pushed his drive right and into the pond, but managed to get up and down to save bogey. The tough par 4 with water all down the right side played as the fourth-most-difficult hole Friday, forcing 12 players to make double bogey or worse.

He rebounded immediately, making birdie on No. 13, before rattling off three straight birdies on Nos. 15, 16 and 17.

When all was said and done, Scheffler recorded 13 one-putts, gaining 3.874 shots on the field on the greens.

“I feel like yesterday I had a couple of putts that were right around the edge,” Scheffler said. “Today I was able to hole a good amount of putts.”

“I think it's just golf. That's really all it is. … It was nice to get out there early and knock in some putts and give myself some really good looks as well.”

This is Scheffler’s eighth time since 2024 (second of 2026) in which he has had the outright lead through 36 holes. How has the world No. 1 fared? Just as you would expect.

The previous seven all turned into top-five finishes, six top-three finishes, a pair of runners-up and four wins.

“If I continue to improve, hopefully I'll be in a good spot at the end of the week,” Scheffler said. “The tournament is halfway over. I had two good rounds to start and hopefully continue that over the weekend.”

And the field feels the gravity of Scheffler surging atop the leaderboard in Memphis. Ludvig Åberg sits four shots back of Scheffler and knows all he can do is focus on his own game – and accept that these kinds of performances are just part of who Scheffler is as a player.

“You know he's not going to let up,” Åberg said. “We almost expect him to play this way all the time, which is maybe a little bit unfair on him, but that's the way he's built this for himself.”

Now it’s time for Scheffler to seal the deal on a third career win in the FedExCup Playoffs before heading to defend the BMW Championship.