Min Woo Lee surged ahead in the opening round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, carding an impressive bogey-free 62 with eight birdies. This performance places him two shots clear of a close pack, including Chris Gotterup, Viktor Hovland, and Collin Morikawa, all vying for the top spot.

The world’s number one, Scottie Scheffler, finished with a strong 65, concluding his round with back-to-back birdies to sit three strokes behind Lee. He shares fifth place with Ludvig Åberg, Akshay Bhatia, and Ryan Gerard, all at five under par. Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood follows closely, while last week’s BMW Championship winner Wyndham Clark stands five shots off the lead after a three-under 67.

Rory McIlroy struggled initially, finishing tied for 20th with a 68 that included five birdies and three bogeys. His mixed performance puts him in a challenging position as he seeks a record-extending fourth FedExCup title.

Lee showcased his skills with back-to-back birdies starting from the fourth hole and maintained his lead despite playing alone after his partner JJ Spaun withdrew due to injury. He noted the unusual experience but managed to maintain his focus.

Key highlights from the round include:

• Morikawa rebounded from an opening bogey to register seven birdies.
• Gotterup finished strong, birdieing three of his last five holes.
• Scheffler expressed satisfaction with his round, emphasizing his ability to create birdie opportunities.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes remain on Lee, with several contenders eager to close the gap in the upcoming rounds.