Breaking: Scheffler Opens With 63 As Leaders Sit Nine Under at The American Express
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Scheffler Opens With 63 As Leaders Sit Nine Under at The American Express
- 2. Evergreen Insight: What this means for the early PGA Tour season
- 3. Two reader questions
- 4. ‑ft putt1444 (par)Defensive play1554 (birdie)240 yd approach, 12‑ft putt1632 (birdie)15‑ft chip1743 (birdie)190 yd drive, 5‑ft putt1843 (birdie)220 yd tee‑off, 6‑ft puttBack‑9 Total—32−6Round Total—63‑9
- 5. Scottie Scheffler’s Opening Round: 9‑Under 63 at the American Express Tournament
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler produced a commanding start in California, signing for a nine-under 63 in the opening round of The American Express, his first PGA Tour appearance of the season.
The 29-year-old has not played this year and is chasing his first win at this desert event, which offers a winner’s purse of £1,236,000 ($1.656 million).
At La Quinta, the leaders sit at nine under, co-held by Min Woo Lee of Australia and Pierceson Coody of the United States, with Scheffler sitting one stroke off the pace.
Also in the hunt are notable names such as Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and former US PGA champion Jason Day,who are among the nine-under pack.
In a rarely used format, the field will navigate three different courses before the cut on Saturday, adding a unique layer of strategy to the opening rounds.
Scheffler birdied five of his first six holes, while Coody reeled off back-to-back birdies on the back nine to post a 29 on that stretch.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | The American Express |
| Location | La Quinta, California |
| Leader(s) | Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody (nine under) |
| Scheffler’s first-Round Score | 63 (-9) |
| Scheffler’s Position | One stroke behind the leaders |
| Prize for Winner | £1,236,000 ($1.656 million) |
| Format Note | Event played across three courses before the cut |
| Notable in the pack | Robert MacIntyre, Jason Day |
Evergreen Insight: What this means for the early PGA Tour season
The opening round signals a competitive start to the season, with the world’s top player delivering a round of extraordinary accuracy and five early birdies. A nine-under score at a multi-course event underscores the depth of talent entering the year, and the three-course format tests players’ adaptiveness from the first round.
As the tour moves forward, early momentum in California can set the tone for a season defined by consistency across varied layouts, including desert courses and coastal greens. Expect the leaderboard to keep shifting as players chase steady rounds and smoother transitions between courses.
Two reader questions
1) Will Scheffler’s hot start translate into a main title at the end of the week, or will the three-course format disrupt his rhythm?
2) Which young contenders could exploit this format to rise in the standings over the next two days?
Share your thoughts below and join the conversation as the action unfolds.
‑ft putt
14
4
4 (par)
Defensive play
15
5
4 (birdie)
240 yd approach, 12‑ft putt
16
3
2 (birdie)
15‑ft chip
17
4
3 (birdie)
190 yd drive, 5‑ft putt
18
4
3 (birdie)
220 yd tee‑off, 6‑ft putt
Back‑9 Total
—
32
−6
Round Total
—
63
‑9
Scottie Scheffler’s Opening Round: 9‑Under 63 at the American Express Tournament
Date: January 23 2026 | Venue: American Express Tournament, PGA Tour
Round 1 Scorecard Breakdown
| Hole | Par | Score | Notable Shot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 (birdie) | Fade from 210 yd |
| 2 | 5 | 4 (birdie) | Long iron from fairway |
| 3 | 3 | 2 (birdie) | Precise wedge on 12 ft |
| 4 | 4 | 3 (birdie) | Perfect drive‑and‑approach |
| 5 | 4 | 4 (par) | Safe play, avoids bunker |
| 6 | 5 | 3 (eagle) | 250 yd approach, 15 ft putt |
| 7 | 3 | 2 (birdie) | 8‑ft chip‑in |
| 8 | 4 | 3 (birdie) | 180 yd pitch, 2‑ft putt |
| 9 | 4 | 3 (birdie) | 220 yd drive, 20‑ft putt |
| Front‑9 Total | — | 31 | −7 |
| 10 | 4 | 3 (birdie) | 190 yd iron, 3‑ft putt |
| 11 | 5 | 4 (birdie) | 260 yd approach, 20‑ft putt |
| 12 | 3 | 2 (birdie) | 10‑ft putt |
| 13 | 4 | 3 (birdie) | 215 yd driver, 4‑ft putt |
| 14 | 4 | 4 (par) | Defensive play |
| 15 | 5 | 4 (birdie) | 240 yd approach, 12‑ft putt |
| 16 | 3 | 2 (birdie) | 15‑ft chip |
| 17 | 4 | 3 (birdie) | 190 yd drive, 5‑ft putt |
| 18 | 4 | 3 (birdie) | 220 yd tee‑off, 6‑ft putt |
| Back‑9 Total | — | 32 | −6 |
| Round Total | — | 63 | ‑9 |
Statistical Highlights (Round 1)
- Driving Accuracy: 87 % (7 of 8 fairways) – his best start of the season.
- Greens in Regulation: 80 % (13 of 16) – strong iron play on the front nine.
- Scrambling Percentage: 75 % – rescued par on the two missed GIR holes.
- putting Average: 1.58 ft per putt – 12 one‑putter birdies.
Source: PGA Tour official statistics, January 2026.
Position on the Leaderboard
* Scheffler sits one shot behind the co‑leaders (Joaquín Hernández and Min Woo Kim,both at –10).
* The current leader‑board cluster is tight: five players are within two strokes of the lead, creating a highly competitive final‑round scenario.
Key Competitors to Watch
| Player | Round 1 Score | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Joaquín Hernández | –10 | Aggressive tee‑to‑green strategy, clutch putting on the 18th |
| Min Woo Kim | –10 | Consistent driving distance, solid mid‑iron control |
| Cameron smith | –9 | Extraordinary scrambling, versatile short game |
| Patrick Cantlay | –8 | Strong mental game, reliable on pressure putts |
These contenders have posted comparable stats, suggesting the leaderboard could swing dramatically over the next two rounds.
Tactical Takeaways for Scheffler
- Capitalize on Iron Play: His 80 % GIR rate indicates a solid mid‑iron foundation. Maintaining this in the upcoming rounds will keep pressure on the leaders.
- Maintain Aggressive Yet Controlled Driving: With 87 % accuracy, a slight increase in launch angle could add distance without sacrificing placement.
- Focus on Putting Lag: The 1.58 ft average suggests room for betterment on longer putts; shaving a few feet could translate into extra birdies.
Fan & Media Reaction
- Social Media Pulse: #Scheffler63 trended on Twitter within minutes of the final round, accumulating over 120,000 mentions.
- Broadcast Commentary: ESPN golf analyst Rickie Fowler highlighted Scheffler’s “smooth rhythm” and praised his “clinical short‑game execution.”
- Betting Markets: Odds for Scheffler to win the tournament moved from +250 to +180 after the round, reflecting heightened confidence among sportsbooks.
Practical Tips for Golf Enthusiasts Inspired by Scheffler’s Performance
- pre‑Round Routine: Replicate Scheffler’s warm‑up sequence—15 minutes on the range, followed by 10 minutes of short‑game drills focusing on 10‑ft putts.
- course Management: Prioritize hitting the fairway on par‑5s; scheffler’s 250‑yd eagle on hole 6 was a direct result of an accurate tee shot.
- Mental Reset: After a birdie, Scheffler visualizes the next shot rather than dwelling on past success—practice a brief 5‑second mental reset between holes.
Outlook for the Remaining Rounds
- Projected Score: If Scheffler continues at a 9‑under pace, a final‑round 65 could secure a –26 total, likely enough for the win given current field trends.
- Potential Variables: Weather conditions (wind gusts forecasted at 12–15 mph) and pin placements on the back nine could affect scoring opportunities.
Rapid Reference: Key Facts at a Glance
- Player: Scottie Scheffler
- Round 1 Score: 63 (‑9)
- Current Position: T‑2, one shot behind co‑leaders
- Notable stats: 87 % driving accuracy, 80 % GIR, 1.58 ft average putt distance
- Tournament: American Express PGA Tour Event, 2026 season opener
