World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler began his 2026 season on Thursday with a 9-under 63 at La Quinta Country Club in Palm Springs. It was Scottie Scheffler’s lowest score in 19 career rounds at The American Express. 

Along the way, he made the turn in 30 (-6) in his opening round of the year, moving past the previous benchmark for a reigning world No. 1’s lowest first round of a calendar year, which stood at 66 and had been matched nine times.

After the round, Scheffler credited his fast start while noting there’s still room to improve, as reported by Golf Channel.

“Off to a good start,” Scheffler said. “Maybe be a little sharper with the ball striking tomorrow, but I was pretty sharp on the front nine.”

Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody shared the first-round lead at 10-under 62 after playing PGA West’s Nicklaus Tournament Course, which played the easiest of the three venues in the rotation and slightly easier than La Quinta. 

Just one shot back at 9 under were Vince Whaley, Si Woo Kim, and Scottie Scheffler, each opening with a 63, with Scheffler posting his round at La Quinta Country Club.

He made six birdies in his first eight holes and kept the momentum going through the rest of the round. 

Scheffler didn’t miss a green until the par-4 17th, and he still turned it into a birdie by chipping in for his ninth and final one of the day.

Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody set the pace

One shot back, a six-man group shared third at 9 under, including Scottie Scheffler in his 2026 PGA Tour debut, along with Si Woo Kim, Vince Whaley, S.H. Kim, Robert MacIntyre, and Matt McCarty.

Lee said he set up most of his chances by driving the ball well early and leaving himself short wedge approaches. He hit his yardages and made putts, which helped him keep the round moving. 

He noted he changed his grip about a week and a half ago, and while he wasn’t sure how it would feel on the greens, the results came quickly and eased the nerves.

While Scheffler has been a familiar face at the American Express tournament, he has yet to win the event. Before this week, his strongest finish at the tournament was in 2022, when he finished 11th, although the event had been more of an early-season tune-up.

Can Scottie Scheffler stay in the hunt in Round 2? Would you be rooting for him?

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Joyita Das