Race for the 2024 FedEx Crown is back on

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World number one Scottie Scheffler saw his seven shot lead reduced to four after yet a dramatic day at the Tour Championship.

On a day where thunderstorms briefly brought play to halt, one man causing carnage up the leaderboard was Collin Morikawa. Following his opening round 66, the two time major winner played even better as he moved to second outright with a powerful 63.

With the race for FedEx glory well and truly back on, here are the main talking points from a thrilling second round.

Scheffler starting to feel the pressure despite second round 66

Scottie Scheffler’s quest for a first FedEx title took a slight twist yesterday as he saw his lead reduced by a resurgent Collin Morikawa. 

Scheffler finds himself in a strange position. His round of 66 was one of the best of the day, but despite going five under for the day, his play was a little ragged and he would have been disappointed that he left several shots out on the course. 

Having been pipped to FedEx glory in each of the past two years, after a brilliant 2024 where the Texan was able to win six titles, it’s clear to see how badly Scheffler wants the FedEx crown this year. He has been the dominant force on Tour and few would argue about him lifting the trophy. However, as the pressure builds over the weekend it will be interesting to see how he responds. 

Morikawa continues his first day charge

Collin Morikawa enjoyed a brilliant opening round which was highlighted by a back nine which contained six consecutive birdies. Moving himself into a position where he has become Scottie Scheffler’s nearest rival, he would have been delighted to reduce the lead at the top from seven shots to four.

Whereas in round 1 most of Morikawa’s fireworks came on the back nine, yesterday he was able to bring his scoring momentum into the front nine where he posted four birdies. 

On a charge and with happy memories on the back nine, Morikawa posted another five birdies but would drop a shot with a bogey on the eleventh hole.

Across 2024, Morikawa has largely had a fantastic year but it’s over the weekend where he has struggled. He has found himself in the final groups at both the Masters and Heritage but on both occasions he would succumb to the pressure and would fall away. Beaten by Scheffler on both occasions, he will hope to avoid being defeated for a third time. 

Morikawa continues his first day charge


Schauffele back to his best and will still believe he can win FedEx crown despite five shot deficit

Another man to close on Scheffler’s lead at the top of the leaderboard was Xander Schauffele.

Having started the week as Scheffler’s nearest challenger, the Californian was clearly feeling the pressure over round one as uncharacteristic driving left the recently crowned Open Champion struggling to exert any pressure on his great rival.

Starting his second round with an eight stroke deficit, Schauffele was back to his consistent best as he kept his tournament hopes alive with a round of 64. Able to keep his card bogey free, Schauffele paired four birdies on the front nine with a further three on the back. 

Out of sorts during his first round, the calm and composed Schauffele that we have become so accustomed to seeing this year was back. With his driving woes well and truly behind him, Schauffele was back to his neat and tidy self and found himself constantly putting for birdies. 

Despite his disappointment after the first round, Schauffele has brilliantly clawed his way back into contention and will have high hopes of reducing the deficit to Scheffler at the top even further today. 

Clark, Scott and Theegala lead chasing pack

Although Eastlake has gone through a raft of renovations, scoring over the new look course hasn’t proved to be a problem for the majority of the field and if Wyndham Clark, Adam Scott or Sahith Theegala are to get themselves back into title contention they will need to produce something special. 

The trio currently find themselves eight shots off the lead and four behind Schauffele in third and they know if they are to make any further inroads to those at the top of the leaderboard they have to go low today.

Of the three it could be worth keeping an eye on Theegala. His second round 66 was the best amongst the chasing trio and he could be a really dangerous proposition today. 

One of the most enigmatic players on Tour, Theegala is a birdie machine and he will hope to show off his putting prowess today. Whilst a win may be out of the question, few would be surprised if Theegala makes a significant move on moving day. 

Scott and Theegala lead chasing pack


What about some of the other big names?

Nobody has won more FedEx titles than Rory McIlroy and the Northern Irishman has been ticking along steadily over the past few rounds.

Two successive rounds of 69 have left McIlroy thirteen strokes behind the leaders so any hopes he had in winning FedEx title number four have surely faded. 

With the pressures well and truly off, McIlroy can play this weekend loose and free. Whilst he may make the odd mistake as he chases down pins, low scoring could be on the menu.

Keegan Bradley shocked the world when he won last week’s BMW Classic but his hopes of pulling off another memorable win look to be well and truly over. A disappointing round of 74 has seen him drop well down the pack. Starting the day sixteen shots off the pace, he will hope to make a positive move up the leaderboard today. 

Tour Championship Round 3 betting

If you want to place a bet ahead of the third round teeing off, here is how the top ten in the betting currently looks 

Scottie Scheffler - 2/7 

Xander Schauffele - 11/2

Collin Morikawa - 7/1

Wyndham Clark - 100/1

Adam Scott - 175/1

Sam Burns - 175/1

Sahith Theegala - 200/1

Rory McIlroy - 500/1

Hideki Matsuyama - 750/1

Ludvig Aberg - 1000/1