Cameron Younger secured a two-shot lead after spherical one of many Hero World Problem with defending champion Scottie Scheffler three again in his first aggressive outing since September.
Younger carded a blemish-free, eight below 64 within the unofficial PGA Tour occasion within the Bahamas, which Scheffler gained final yr by three stokes from Sepp Straka to scoop $1m (£800,000).
Scheffler – who final performed on the Presidents Cup in Montreal slightly over two months in the past – shot a five-under 67 on the Tiger Woods-hosted occasion as he experimented with a brand new noticed placing grip.
The world No 1 birdied three of his final 5 holes to sit down in a five-way share of third place, with Justin Thomas Younger’s nearest challenger on six below after six beneficial properties on his again 9, together with 4 in a row.
Why has Scheffler tinkered with placing grip?
Scheffler is in search of his ninth worldwide title of a stellar 2024, after seven wins on the PGA Tour – Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Gamers, The Masters, RBC Heritage, Memorial Match, Vacationers Championship, Tour Championship – in addition to Olympic gold in Paris.
The 28-year-old stated of his noticed grip: “I’m all the time on the lookout for little methods to enhance. We figured this can be a good week to strive issues out.
Scottie Scheffler shot a five-under 67 in Albany as he trialled a brand new noticed placing grip
“I believe there are some advantages for me in my placing stroke – that grip works versus my older grip, so I’m doing slightly little bit of testing. That’s how I’d describe it.
“The longer putts I did with my old grip as I have a better feel for the speed. The closer I get to the hole I can do more with the other grip.
“I have not had sufficient time to completely get used to it speed-wise and my contact from lengthy vary has been fairly good and that is one thing I in all probability wish to change very a lot.”
Thomas recorded six birdies on his again 9 together with 4 in a row
Europeans Åberg and MacIntyre make stable begins
Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre lead the European cost in Albany on 5 below and 4 below respectively, with Austria’s Straka at three below, England’s Aaron Rai at one below and France’s Matthieu Pavon at two over.
The Hero World Problem is a 20-man, no-cut occasion and whereas it doesn’t provide FedExCup factors it does hand out world rating factors as it’s formally recognised by the OWGR (Official World Golf Rating).
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Chief, Younger, who’s but to win a PGA Tour occasion, registered 5 birdies on his entrance 9 after which three extra coming dwelling.
Younger’s fellow American Nick Dunlap was on seven below after 15 holes however then bogeyed 16, following a missed par putt from inside 5 toes, after which double-bogeyed 18 after he was wayward off the tee and compelled to take a drop.
Watch spherical two of the Hero World Problem, in The Bahamas, reside on Sky Sports activities Golf from 6.30pm on Friday. Protection continues throughout the weekend on Sky Sports activities and with NOW.
