After sinking a par putt on the 8th green, Cameron Young anticipated marking a birdie for his playing companion. Scottie Scheffler, ranked as the world’s top golfer, had a putt from barely over three feet that would have put him level with Young at four under; however, he missed it, and from that point, their performances diverged sharply.
Young consistently improved his score, concluding his initial round at Trump National Doral with an immaculate 8-under 64, seizing an early advantage. In contrast, Scheffler’s play deteriorated, leading him to finish with a 71, a full seven shots behind his Thursday playing partner.
Commenting on his impressive round, Young remarked, “I always believe it’s achievable. If I had to predict, I likely wouldn’t have picked a 64.” He continued, “Frankly, that wasn’t my primary focus. It’s an extended three-week period, and there will be excellent days and less favorable ones. My main objective today was to execute our usual routine and see the outcome. This approach is essential for navigating these prolonged tournaments.”
As Friday’s second round commences, Young holds a single-stroke lead, with Jordan Spieth and Alex Smalley capitalized on a Blue Monster course that proved less intimidating than its reputation suggests, resulting in an average score below par for the opening round. Minimal wind early on, combined with soft greens, provided optimal conditions for low scores, allowing competitors to tackle this challenging layout confidently.
However, not every player experienced the same fortune as Young, Spieth, and their counterparts. Jacob Bridgeman, victor of the Genesis Invitational, found himself at the bottom of the standings after a 79 in his first round, while prominent major champions like Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, and Jason Day all finished above par.
Spieth noted, “The wind was quite shifty. It began from the west at our start, and now it’s blowing from the southeast. Therefore, it was crucial to observe its direction and adhere to it.” He added, “Even though the greens are sizable, the zones where the flags are positioned are extremely confined.
“So, with a favorable yardage, the strategy was aggressive; otherwise, it was to land within 20 feet and proceed from there. I managed to sink a few putts from the fringe, which was an added benefit, and for the remainder of the round, I played very strategically. I maintained control of the ball, which will be vital over the upcoming three days.”
Leader
1. Cameron Young (-8): Young’s initial round consisted of eight birdies and ten pars; his scores better than par originated from either very close range or considerable distances. The victor of The Players Championship displayed exceptional wedge skills in his opening performance, precisely placing shots near the flags on holes 2, 5, and 16. His other birdies were a result of fortunate putting, including a 45-foot conversion on the par-4 3rd and successful putts from off the green on holes 7 and 15.
What made this display even more remarkable was that Young achieved it despite his tee shots not being up to his usual standards. Despite hitting only 50% of the fairways and occasionally struggling with a severe hook to the left, he managed to compensate and produce the best round of the day. Should he improve his consistency with the driver slightly while preserving his acute wedge play, Young could prove difficult for his competitors to catch.
Young commented, “Generally, the course lays out quite clearly before you. Most tee shots are straightforward, which is characteristic of well-designed courses. I believe it doesn’t attempt to conceal any challenges. So, familiarizing myself with the course wasn’t a major obstacle, I’d say. Indeed, my driving was adequate today; the course ought to suit me effectively, and fortunately, I had an excellent short game. I sank a couple of shots from the fringe and putted exceptionally well.”
Contenders
T2. Jordan Spieth, Alex Smalley (-7)
4. Nick Taylor (-6)
5. Nico Echavarria (-5)
T6. Andrew Putnam, Brian Harman, Gary Woodland (-4)
Behold the performance! Spieth was brilliant on Thursday, partly due to his characteristic flair—such as holing out from off the green for an eagle on the par-5 8th—but also exhibiting other encouraging aspects of his play. The three-time major winner navigated Doral’s challenging set of four par 3s exceptionally, completing them at two under par with apparent ease. While a few errant shots occurred, overall, it marked one of Spieth’s strongest showings in quite some time.
According to Spieth, while practice certainly contributed to his performance, his equipment choices were equally significant. The golfer, with thirteen PGA Tour victories, disclosed his transition to the Pro V1-X left dash ball. He observed an increase in his spin rates and sought a ball with less spin. Furthermore, Spieth introduced new “lumber” into his bag, specifically a new driver and a 3-wood. On Thursday, these adjustments appeared to be highly effective.
Spieth explained, “I’ve noticed in several tournaments this year that I’ve begun well in the first round, particularly on the front nine, but then on challenging courses, I haven’t sustained that momentum. So, I recall speaking with Michael earlier today and suggesting, ‘Let’s establish a fresh objective; let’s imagine we’re beginning anew, focusing on aggression,’ essentially looking at holes as opportunities for birdies rather than perceiving their difficulty, if that makes sense.” He added, “It proved to be an effective tactic. I don’t anticipate shooting 7 under daily, but with the calm winds at the start, it was an ideal moment to capitalize. Moreover, the greens were soft enough and not excessively fast, meaning if you controlled your shots from the tee, you’d find chances.”
Rose’s race begins with a crash
Alterations in equipment invariably generate discussion, particularly when they involve a shift to a… automotive brand. Rose opted for new McLaren irons prior to this week’s event, and his inaugural round proved to be a harsh introduction. On his first hole, with a wedge, he failed to hit the green, then skulled his fourth shot into a hazard, barely escaping the par 5 with a double bogey.
The English golfer regained some composure over the subsequent few holes, yet he again found water on the par-5 8th, resulting in another double bogey. He was unable to fully rebound from this. Overall, he ceded strokes on 13 of his 18 approach shots, marking one of his least effective ball-striking days of 2026.
