Scheffler went from the hill right of the 10th fairway at Spyglass to a front bunker, blasted out some 20 feet and missed his par putt. That was his only bogey, though he was 1 over until lacing the fairway metal to 30 feet for two-putt birdie on the par-5 14th, just as McIlroy on the hole next to him plucked his ball from the cup.

Lackluster fields, slow play and zero buzz have been the Tour's story so far in 2025, but the ingredients are in place this week to change the narrative.