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The unusual format of the TOUR Championship gives a built-in advantage for the top players in the world. With golfers starting with different scores based on how they finished the FedEx Cup Playoffs before they reach East Lake for the final event of the year.
Dustin Johnson finished in first, and it garnered him a two-shot lead on the field by starting at -10. With his 67 for the day he ended up at -13, but #2 Jon Rahm doubled as his playing partner and nemesis today, carding a 65 to close the gap and draw the top two players in the world even with $15 million on the line and 54 holes remaining.
Justin Thomas, who led the FedEx Cup before the playoffs began, started at -7, but carded a 66 to pull within two shots of the lead at an adjusted -11. The players will be back on course tomorrow starting at 11:45 am, with the two leaders Johnson and Rahm the final group teeing off at 2:05 p.m.
Here are the final scores and adjusted scores after the first round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
Tour Championship after Round 1
| Golfer | Adjusted Score | TOUR Championship Only Score |
|---|---|---|
| Golfer | Adjusted Score | TOUR Championship Only Score |
| Dustin Johnson | -13 | -3 |
| Jon Rahm | -13 | -5 |
| Justin Thomas | -11 | -4 |
| Rory McIlroy | -9 | -6 |
| Abraham Ancer | -7 | -6 |
| Xander Schauffele | -6 | -3 |
| Brendon Todd | -6 | -3 |
| Sungjae Im | -6 | -2 |
| Webb Simpson | -6 | E |
| Marc Leishman | -5 | -4 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | -5 | -3 |
| Lanto Griffin | -5 | -3 |
| Daniel Berger | -5 | -1 |
| Tony Finau | -4 | -2 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | -4 | E |
| Harris English | -4 | E |
| Collin Morikawa | -4 | +1 |
| Cameron Champ | -2 | -2 |
| Cameron Smith | -2 | -2 |
| Kevin Na | -2 | -1 |
| Sebastián Muñoz | -2 | +1 |
| Patrick Reed | -2 | +1 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | -2 | +2 |
| Viktor Hovland | -1 | -1 |
| Scottie Scheffler | -1 | +1 |
| Billy Horschel | E | E |
| Mackenzie Hughes | E | E |
| Joaquin Niemann | E | +2 |
| Ryan Palmer | +1 | +2 |
| Kevin Kisner | +1 | +2 |