England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, Aaron Rai and Justin Rose and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler made sturdy begins to the PGA Tour’s Vacationers Championship as US Open champion Wyndham Clark’s progress was curbed by a triple bogey.
Clark, who claimed his second US Open title in 4 years with a one-shot win over Sam Burns at Shinnecock Hills on Sunday, bagged a seven on the par-four twelfth after an errant tee shot led to a drop and he then picked out a bunker earlier than lacking a seven-foot putt.
The 32-year-old notched birdies both aspect of that nightmare gap, whereas positive aspects at 15 and 17, after an earlier one at six, noticed Clark signal for a two-under 68, leaving him 5 photographs behind first-round chief Eric Cole, whose blemish-free, seven-under 63 included an eagle at 13 when he chipped in from off the inexperienced.
Clark stated afterwards: “I had one bad swing, made a triple. Other than that we would be at five under and in a great spot. Really pleased with my round, felt awesome over everything. Just one bad swing.”
Fitzpatrick – who has received 3 times to this point in 2026, solo on the Valspar Championship and RBC Heritage and alongside brother Alex on the Zurich Basic of New Orleans – carded a six-under 64, recording seven birdies round one bogey and lacking only one fairway.
The previous US Open champion, who operated with a brand new driver, is in a bunch of six gamers one shot off Cole, which additionally options Scheffler, Ben Griffin, Kristoffer Reitan, Bud Cauley and Nicolas Echavarria.
Fitzpatrick stated: “I played really solid. I took advantage of the scoring holes there.”
Scheffler: Necessary to maintain tempo
Scheffler – tied fourth on the US Open final week, 4 photographs adrift of Clark – posted a flawless 64 on Thursday at TPC River Highlands, with 4 positive aspects on his entrance 9 and two coming house.
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler went bogey-free in Connecticut on Thursday
Scheffler stated after his lowest opening spherical since a 63 at The American Specific in January, a event he went on to win: “When the scoring is lower it can be harder and harder to play catch up.
“Generally right here you get to this point behind you possibly can solely shoot so low on a few of these golf programs, so it is vital to maintain tempo.”
Fitzpatrick’s compatriots Rai and Rose are two back from Cole, with their five-under rounds matched by Viktor Hovland, Patrick Cantlay, Corey Conners and Brandt Snedeker.
Watch round two of the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship live on Sky Sports+ from 12.45pm on Friday. There is also coverage on Sky Sports Mix from 5pm, Sky Sports Golf from 8pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 10pm. Stream Sky Sports activities with no contract.
