After pizza party, Tom Kim leads Travelers Championship by two
Scottie Scheffler and Tom Kim decided to indulge in a hearty pizza feast ahead of their shared birthday, before turning their attention back to their golfing pursuits at the Travelers Championship. As they prepare to compete, both players find themselves in contention after the first round at TPC River Highlands. Tom Kim, celebrating his 22nd…
Scottie Scheffler and Tom Kim decided to indulge in a hearty pizza feast ahead of their shared birthday, before turning their attention back to their golfing pursuits at the Travelers Championship.
As they prepare to compete, both players find themselves in contention after the first round at TPC River Highlands. Tom Kim, celebrating his 22nd birthday on Friday, took the lead with an impressive 8-under-par 62, putting him two strokes ahead in this prestigious PGA Tour event, known for its limited field and no-cut format. Meanwhile, Scheffler, the current world No. 1, sits tied for sixth place, trailing by three shots.
The duo, both hailing from the Dallas area, celebrated their upcoming birthdays in advance at Sally’s, a renowned eatery in New Haven, enjoying the tradition of pre-celebratory feasting.
“I had quite a bit of pizza,” Kim shared. “It’s not something I’d normally do during a tournament, but it’s our birthday tradition.”
Kim capped his excellent round with birdies on the final two holes, distancing himself from the pack chasing him at 6-under, including Rickie Fowler, Akshay Bhatia, Kurt Kitayama, and Will Zalatoris.
Scheffler, who has already captured five victories this year and boasts an impressive record with only two finishes outside the top ten, seemed back in top form after a less favorable outing at Pinehurst No. 2 last week.
“I definitely feel like my swing is back on track compared to last week,” Scheffler remarked. “It’s reassuring to return to familiar greens, sink some solid putts, and see those balls dropping.”
Kim, who endured a challenging final round at Pinehurst but remained optimistic about his game, delivered a bogey-free performance on Thursday, highlighted by five birdies on the back nine, capitalizing on favorable conditions with temperatures in the 90s and minimal wind.
“Sunday was tough at Pinehurst, but I didn’t feel like I played poorly overall,” Kim reflected. “A single bad round cost me, but I know I’m playing well and I’m eager to carry this momentum forward.”
With both players poised for a strong showing on their shared birthday week, the Travelers Championship promises exciting golf ahead as they vie for the top spot in this prestigious event.
