Scottie Scheffler and Tom Kim celebrated their shared birthday with a pizza feast before focusing on golf at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn. Kim took the lead in the first round with an impressive 8-under-par 62, holding a two-stroke advantage over the field. Scheffler, the world's top-ranked player, was tied for sixth, three shots behind.
Kim, who will turn 22 on Friday, and Scheffler, six years his senior, enjoyed an early birthday celebration at a local pizza joint. Kim's strong finish with birdies on the last two holes set him apart from the pack, leading the field at 8 under. Rickie Fowler, Akshay Bhatia, Kurt Kitayama, and Will Zalatoris were tied at 6 under.
Scheffler, with five wins this year, bounced back from a disappointing performance at Pinehurst No. 2 to position himself well at the Travelers Championship. He expressed confidence in his improved swing and putting, aiming to continue his success on familiar grounds.
Kim, who had a rough final round at Pinehurst, showcased his skills with a bogey-free round and five birdies on the back nine. Despite a tough Sunday previously, Kim's strong start at the Travelers Championship fueled his confidence to maintain momentum.
Fowler, a six-time PGA Tour winner, is looking to break out of a season-long slump with just one top-25 finish this year. Despite his struggles, Fowler remains optimistic, drawing on past experiences of overcoming challenges to regain form.
Zalatoris made a remarkable surge with birdies on five of the first six holes on the back nine, briefly reaching 7 under. However, a bogey on the 16th hole and a missed birdie opportunity on the 18th prevented him from seizing the lead.
The competition at the Travelers Championship promises an exciting showdown as top players vie for victory on the challenging TPC River Highlands course. Stay tuned for more thrilling golf action as the tournament unfolds.
