Adam Scott has jetted off to just the start he needed to try to salvage his season, making six birdies and turning his worst swing into a par for a five-under-par 65 that gave him the early lead in the Wyndham Championship.
The 43-year-old Scott needed a flying start to the final PGA Tour event before the post-season with only the top 70 — down previously from the top 125 — set to make it to the lucrative fare that begins next week.
Scott is No. 81 and likely needs at least a top-10 finish to have any chance of advancing – and he’s given himself an ideal launch pad on Thursday.
“I’ve had a lot of years having a go at the FedEx Cup playoffs, and all these kind of things come to an end at some point,” Scott said after his round.
“But for sure, I want to win this tournament – and if I do that, I can have a really good run right through to East Lake, I believe.”
Scott had a one-shot lead over Belgian Thomas Detry and Ludwig Aberg, of Sweden.
He made a couple of birdies from the 12-foot range and seized on rain-softened conditions with his wedge to set up short birdie attempts.
His most unusual par was on the 226-yard seventh hole, with a creek running down the right side. Scott hit his tee shot so far to the right — the pin was left — that he went on the other side of the creek. He chopped out of thick, wet grass to 15 feet and made the par putt.
The top 50 after the first play-off event in Memphis, Tennessee, next week will move on to the second round outside of Chicago and are assured of playing in all the signature $US20 million ($A31 million) events next year.
The top 30 then reach the FedEx Cup finale at East Lake for the Tour Championship.
Justin Thomas has more stress awaiting him, both for making the FedEx Cup playoffs and being part of the Ryder Cup team.
He didn’t take advantage of short irons and had to settle for a 70. His next task will be making sure he’s part of the weekend.
Thomas had a round that matched the dreary day of light but steady rain.
He had two birdies, two bogeys and the rest pars, some of them valuable. But he needs a high finish — 18th place at a mathematical minimum, though something around 10th might be more safe — to get into the top 70. He currently is at No. 78.
Most of the players who don’t reach the postseason will have the fall to make sure they stay among the top 125 who have full cards for 2024.