Scheffler, as usual, and Schauffele, thanks to the putt, at the Memorial

Only 25 players out of 73 are playing Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village in Dublin (Ohio)the second house of Jack Nicklaus (the host of this ‘elevated’ tournament) shot a below-par 72, a group that included Rory McIlroy with 70 strokes, and that the British signed four birdies in his last six holes. And of course, among others, #1 Scottie Scheffler (67) and in winner three weeks ago of the PGA Xander Schauffele (68). This is a leader Canadian Adam Hadwin with 66six under par, enough to lead Masters champion Scheffler by one stroke.

Hadwin was among the few who occupied a Muirfield Village field that was soft from the rain but less punished. He made four birdies in five holes at the end of the first round – after four birdies on the front nine – until he missed a 5-foot par putt at the difficult 18th.

Scheffler and Schauffele did more. Scheffler made his debut with two birdies in four holes – on the other two he missed birdie opportunities from 2 and 3 meters – and went further until a large mud hole slowed him down on holes 5, par 5, and brought him to bogey.

Schauffele is back for the first time since winning his first major at Valhalla. His game was irregular from tee to green but he saved his putt, with four birdies without a mistake. A bogey-free 68 to get fully into contention.

Corey Conners, Collin Morikawa and Swede Ludvig Aberg also finished with 68, while defending champion Viktor Hovland shot a 69.

Hadwin and Conners have just entered the Canadian Open, and it’s an important moment of the year, as only two weeks remain until the 60 players who will compete in the Paris Olympic Games are determined. Hadwin hasn’t finished in the top 40 since late March, and his world ranking has fallen from No. 44 to No. 59. Conners is at No. 45, while Taylor Pendrith and Mackenzie Hughes are just behind him at No. 64 and 65 (Phoenix Open winner Nick Taylor secured first place).

Scheffler, despite a setback on hole 5, par 5, bounced back with six total birdies (he left it ‘given’ on the 18th to close out his round), a solid round, as usual.