ATLANTA — Xander Schauffele might erase this tournament of its boredom concerns, after all. He certainly has for at least another afternoon.
Schauffele shot 63 on Friday in the second round of the Tour Championship, helping him considerably close the gap on leader Scottie Scheffler. After Scheffler held an 8-stroke lead after three holes, Schauffele trimmed that difference to two strokes by day’s end.
Scheffler, the current No. 1 golfer on earth, ended Round 1 leading by five strokes (15 under), which was tied for the largest advantage after any round since the new scoring format was implemented at East Lake in 2019. Having started the weekend at 10 under thanks to the staggered scoring system — one that continuously prompts debate — Scheffler was in the driver’s seat.
