Scottie Scheffler opened the Travelers Championship with a 6‑under 64 on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at TPC River Highlands, leaving him just one stroke behind the leader and firmly in the mix for the week‑long event. His flawless front‑nine, highlighted by four birdies, set the tone for a round where he avoided any bogeys and demonstrated why he’s a favorite for the season’s major titles.
What happened in round one?
Scheffler launched his round with a birdie on the first hole and quickly piled on three more through the front nine, finishing that stretch at 4‑under. On the back nine he added birdies at 13 and 15, while his iron play and putting kept the scoreboard clean, ending at 6‑under 64.
How did Scheffler stay in contention?
Statistically Scheffler ranked near the top in every category—driving accuracy, greens in regulation, and scrambling—so his round felt inevitable. He joked about forgetting his belt after Sam Burns handed it to him, but the distraction didn’t slow him; Burns posted a solid 66, and the two fed off each other’s energy throughout the day.
Scheffler noted that his numbers "lined up" with the course, giving him confidence to attack each hole. He praised his short‑game, saying a couple of putts dropped in the middle of the round helped maintain momentum. The mental ease he described matched the physical execution, a blend that often separates winners from the pack.
Who were Scheffler's main competitors?
The leader after day one was a veteran who posted a 65, while the field also featured recent major champion Wyndham Clark, who finished two strokes behind Scheffler. Burns, his friendly partner, sat just two shots back, and a handful of seasoned tour pros clustered within three strokes, making the leaderboard tightly packed.
The depth of the field was evident as 14 players sat within two shots of the lead after day one. Names like Cameron Smith and Patrick Cantlay were also in the mix, each posting sub‑70 rounds that kept the pressure on Scheffler to sustain his pace.
What does this mean for the tournament?
Being just one shot off the lead puts Scheffler among 14 players who can still claim the title, according to the official leaderboard. With a run of three runner‑up finishes and a win at The American Express earlier this season, he’s poised to convert his consistency into a second Travelers crown.
This performance adds to Scheffler’s eight top‑five finishes this season, including three straight runner‑up spots. A win at the 2024 Travelers in a playoff shows he knows the course well, and his early lead suggests he could repeat. If he captures the title, it would mark his second victory at River Highlands.
What challenges lie ahead?
The River Highlands course rewards precision; even par can be enough to win, so Scheffler must maintain his birdie conversion while avoiding costly misses. Forecasts call for windy conditions on Friday, which could tighten scores further. Keeping his stats aligned with the course demands will be key if he hopes to climb to the top.