If anyone wanted to tell Scottie Scheffler to watch out for me on the first day of the Sentry, they have certainly failed. None of the top players have taken the lead on the first day. It is also true that this has only just begun, but for now, nothing to fear for Scottie. Tom Hoge (-9) is the first leader of the year on the PGA Tour after the opening round at the Plantation course in Kapalua, Hawaii.
Does this mean that Hoge cannot be considered an alternative to Scheffler in the world rankings? Well, yes, until proven otherwise, the veteran and orderly American player was not one of those expected to challenge him. It is true that everything can change in this sport from one week to the next, but initially, he was not one of the ‘chosen ones’.
On the other hand, those who were expected to take on that task remain, for now, in the background. Such is the case of Xander Schauffele (-1), the great candidate, a disappointment on this first day, or Justin Thomas (-2) and even Viktor Hovland (-3). At this point, Scheffler is not being challenged by them, as he rests at his home in Texas after a domestic accident with a glass in his hand.
The first day at Kapalua was as expected, a festival of birdies, with a wind that did not blow as much as the forecast said. The average of six under par at least to win the former champions tournament remains a benchmark, so a man like Schauffele already needs three rounds of seven under at least to catch up. Is his victory already impossible? You know that nothing is impossible, but very difficult, certainly.
Those who have shown up to this first test of the year with their homework done include Will Zalatoris (-8), watch out if the alternative doesn’t come from here, or one of the names of the year if he has really managed to leave all his physical problems behind, Hideki Matsuyama (-8), the eternal contender, always on the lookout in case the greats slip, or players like Cameron Young (-7), eternal candidate, or Collin Morikawa (-7).
Also in the elevated zone of the PGA Tour debut are golfers accustomed to doing things very well from tee to green, like Hoge, such as Corey Conners (-7), Thomas Detry (-6), Adam Hadwin (-6), or Tony Finau (-6). The top 10 of the tournament closed on this opening day at five under par, a position where a classic who never fails has slipped in: Adam Scott (-5).
