Scottie Scheffler eyes return to World No 1 spot after grabbing AT&T Byron Nelson lead
- Planet Sport writer
- 13 May 2023
Scottie Scheffler is adamant the World No 1 ranking is not on his mind as he grabbed the halfway lead at the AT&T Byron Nelson following back-to-back rounds of 64.
Scottie Scheffler's run of form looks to be continuing at the AT&T Byron Nelson after the American posted back-to-back rounds of 64 to take a one-shot lead into the weekend in Texas.
Scheffler opened with two straight birdies and went on to add six more, with a bogey on the par-four eighth hole his only blemish.
"Yeah, just solid golf," Scheffler said. "I didn't really struggle for too many pars out there, and I felt like I putted a little bit better today than yesterday."
The world number two leads by one from the pair of Ryan Palmer and Mackenzie Hughes, who are tied on 13 under.
Scheffler, who won the Masters last year, acknowledged that winning the tournament where he first competed on the PGA Tour as a high school senior would be a thrill.
Dialing it in from distance.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 12, 2023
Scottie Scheffler and his caddie Ted Scott discussing the best possible approach shot on No. 9 @ATTByronNelson. pic.twitter.com/J6EjfT5XPW
"I want to win a lot of tournaments," he said. "This one being in the hometown, it would definitely be a lot of fun with the crowd behind me this weekend."
A victory would also see return Scheffler to World No 1, overtaking Jon Rahm, but he insists that's not where his focus lies.
"That's not stuff that occupies too many of my thoughts," Scheffler said. "I don't want to place too much emphasis on one tournament.
"I just want to go out and do my best and see where that puts me."
Meanwhile, overnight leader Seung-yul Noh fell to equal-14th after a disastrous outing on Friday.
The South Korean, who tied the course record with an opening round 60, came unstuck over a four-hole stretch at the turn, which included two bogeys and a double on the par-four second.
Ireland's Seamus Power and England's Tyrrell Hatton are on seven under.