Seoul, Korea - The Texas Children's Houston Open was a showcase of resilience and precision today, as Scottie Scheffler, the reigning FedExCup champion, demonstrated why he's the world's number one golfer. With a round of 62, Scheffler matched the tournament scoring record, elevating him to an 11-under par total and the top of the leaderboard after a weather-disrupted second round.
Today’s play at Memorial Park Golf Course was anything but ordinary. It began under a veil of clouds and was soon interrupted by thunderstorms, leading to a suspension at 3:01 p.m. due to dangerous conditions. The skies cleared somewhat later, allowing play to resume at 5:09 p.m., only to be halted again by darkness with several players yet to finish their rounds.
Amid these disruptions, Scheffler’s performance stood out. His record-equalling round was a tour de force, reminiscent of his previous 62s on the TOUR. Notably, this marks his first bogey-free run through 36 holes since 2023, setting him up as a strong contender to maintain his lead through the weekend.
Chasing closely is Canada’s Taylor Pendrith, who followed up his opening round 65 with another 65, putting him solidly in second place at 10-under par. Pendrith, one of the five first-round co-leaders, is looking to capture his first Houston Open title and become the second Canadian to win on the Tour this season.
Other notable performances included Nico Echavarria, who is also at 10-under through 16 holes of his second round. Echavarria faces a challenging par putt when play resumes, but his remarkable 9-under for the day positions him as a serious contender.
The field remains tightly packed behind the leaders, with Min Woo Lee, Ryan Fox, and Kevin Yu all within striking distance. Rory McIlroy, returning to the Houston Open for the first time since 2014, finished his round at 4-under, sparked by a late rally of birdies.
As we look to the weekend, the tournament remains wide open. With the unpredictable weather expected to continue, the players will need to be at their best to navigate the challenges of Memorial Park. The potential for more delays and a reshuffled schedule adds an extra layer of strategy to what promises to be a thrilling finish.
For now, all eyes will be on Scheffler as he aims to convert his lead into another title, while his challengers, including a poised Pendrith and a determined Echavarria, look to make their own mark in this storied event.