On Thursday, a storied golf course struggled to keep up with the PGA Tour’s elite at the 2025 Truist Championship. Following early-week rain, the Philly Cricket Club proved vulnerable, allowing players like Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa to exploit the favorable conditions.
Both Fowler and Morikawa began their tournaments with outstanding rounds of 7-under 63, putting them just two strokes behind Keith Mitchell, who continued his impressive performance with an opening score of 61, setting a new personal best on the PGA Tour. Both Fowler and Mitchell entered the tournament through sponsor invitations and showcased their skills on a day when the average score was approximately 67.
“The receptive greens, minimal wind, and a new venue contributed to the successful scoring,” said Denny McCarthy after his 62. “Players were able to aggressively target the pins, especially with short irons and wedges.”
This year, Mitchell has established a pattern of leading on the first day, with an impressive Thursday scoring average of under 67 and four rounds that left him in the lead. However, he has struggled to maintain that momentum into the weekend, seeking his first win since 2019.
“If I can replicate today’s performance over the next three rounds, I should be in good shape, but I need to focus on playing my best regardless of the standings,” Mitchell stated about his approach for the remainder of the tournament. “It’s been challenging, and I hope to stay ahead.”
Mitchell’s patience may be tested, especially with strong competitors like Fowler, Morikawa, Sepp Straka, and Akshay Bhatia closely trailing him at 7 under, while major champions Keegan Bradley and Shane Lowry are just one shot behind.
The competition is fierce, with players like Patrick Cantlay and Hideki Matsuyama at 5 under, and both Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy at 4 under. Having shared a tee time, Thomas and McIlroy faced some challenges, causing them to miss potential top scores, but they remain in contention.
The Leader
1. Keith Mitchell (-9): Mitchell delivered a comprehensive performance, leading in both strokes gained tee to green and strokes gained approach. His combination of solid ball-striking and effective putting resulted in an impressive round, marked by nine birdies in the latter part of his game. Although he excels in distance, he remains unsure how changing weather conditions will affect his advantages going forward.
Other Contenders
2. Denny McCarthy (-8)
T3. Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Sepp Straka, Akshay Bhatia (-7)
T7. Sam Stevens, Joe Highsmith, Keegan Bradley, Shane Lowry (-6)
Fowler’s season has been rocky after a successful stretch last fall, with only one top-20 finish to his name this year. However, he showed signs of improvement on Thursday, gaining nearly two strokes with his irons after making slight adjustments to his setup.
Jordan Spieth Struggles
After an encouraging finish at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Jordan Spieth faced difficulties in his opening round of 70, placing him near the bottom of the leaderboard. His inconsistent iron play and challenges on the greens limited his success, although he managed to salvage his round by making birdies on three of his final five holes.
2025 Truist Championship Odds and Picks
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
- Collin Morikawa: 6-1
- Rory McIlroy: 15/2
- Keith Mitchell: 8-1
- Denny McCarthy: 12-1
- Sepp Straka: 14-1
- Patrick Cantlay: 18-1
- Shane Lowry: 20-1
- Akshay Bhatia: 20-1
- Keegan Bradley: 22-1
- Justin Thomas: 25-1
Cantlay established himself as a top contender after a solid start on Thursday, despite minor setbacks with his putting. His balanced performance bodes well for his chances as the tournament progresses.
