Russell Henley surged to a 9-under 61, one-putting six of his last seven holes and making several long birdie putts to take a two-shot lead. Scottie Scheffler carded a 63, including a 25-foot par save and two late birdies, remaining close behind. Rory McIlroy produced a dramatic moment when a bladed bunker shot ricocheted back onto the green, prompting an unlikely birdie. Storms halted play and forced evacuation after the round. Rain left East Lake soft, allowing lift-clean-and-place, and Henley holed an unusually large total of long putts during the round.
Henley one-putted six of his last seven holes and made three birdie putts from 40 feet or longer. After three straight birdies at the end, he had a 9-under 61 to build a two-shot lead over the world's No. 1 player. Scheffler didn't miss a beat from last week -- really the last five months -- and finished with a 25-foot par save on the 16th and two birdies for a 63.
The entertainment came from Rory McIlroy, who bladed a bunker shot on the par-5 18th hole over the green and off the grandstands, and then back onto the green. Scheffler was rooting hard for McIlroy, not so much for the birdie but so they could avoid a length ruling to finish. Seconds after Scheffler holed his 4-foot birdie putt, the horn sounded to stop play because of approaching storms that led to East Lake being evacuated.
Rain hammered East Lake on Wednesday -- and again after the first round ended -- leaving the course soft enough that players could lift, clean and place their golf balls in the short grass. "I felt like with it being lift, clean and place and somewhat soft compared to last year when the greens were brand new, it was a little bit softer, so it was just a little bit more gettable," Henley said.
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