World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler faced a challenging start at the BMW Championship on Thursday, dealing with tightness in his lower back after shooting 1-under par during the first round. Despite his discomfort, Scheffler remains optimistic about his ability to continue competing in the event.
Scheffler, who recently earned an Olympic gold medal, acknowledged the issue with his back after the round. “I woke up just a little sore this morning,” Scheffler explained. “With it being a little bit tight, it was hard for me to get through it, and I was laboring most of the day to get through the ball.” The discomfort was particularly evident on the 17th hole, where he was seen wincing and grabbing his back after a shot.
The reigning FedExCup leader, Scheffler considered the impact of his injury on his participation in the BMW Championship. Despite his discomfort, he downplayed the severity of the issue, stating that he did not expect it to interfere with his play for the remainder of the tournament. “Maybe I hit a few too many balls yesterday or something,” Scheffler said. “It was just a little sore. I’m sure I’ll get some ice on it and stuff and I’ll be totally fine tomorrow.”
In the opening round, Scheffler’s struggle with ball-striking was evident as he fell behind the early leader, Keegan Bradley, who shot an impressive 6-under par. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, fresh off his victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, is just one shot behind Bradley. Matsuyama’s highlight of the day was a remarkable 73-foot putt for birdie on the fourth hole, which drew cheers from the crowd as it slowly trickled down the green and into the hole.
The first round at Castle Pines Golf Club in Colorado was delayed by three hours and 10 minutes due to a storm that brought lightning to the area, leading to a temporary suspension of play. Organizers hope for better weather conditions as the tournament progresses, with the second round set to begin on Friday.
As Scheffler prepares to compete in the BMW Championship despite his back issues, fans and analysts will be closely watching to see how the world’s top golfer performs in the coming rounds. His resilience and ability to play through discomfort will be crucial as he aims to maintain his strong form and secure another win before the Tour Championship in Atlanta next week.
Scottie Scheffler’s back injury did not dampen his spirits as he addressed the issue following the first round of the BMW Championship. His determination to continue competing and his optimistic outlook suggest he is ready to tackle the challenges ahead. With strong competitors like Keegan Bradley and Hideki Matsuyama also in the mix, the tournament promises to be an exciting one as it unfolds.
