The 2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open began with high expectations as some of the biggest names in golf, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy, teed off at Memorial Park Golf Course. With The Masters just weeks away, the tournament serves as a crucial warm-up for the year’s first major. While Scheffler delivered a composed and bogey-free round, McIlroy struggled to find his rhythm, describing his performance as “pedestrian.”
Scheffler’s Impressive Start
Scottie Scheffler, who has been in dominant form throughout the season, showcased his steady play with a bogey-free 3-under-par 67. The 27-year-old Texan navigated the challenging weather conditions with precision, making key birdie putts on the back nine to stay within striking distance of the tournament leaders.
“Conditions were pretty tough out there today with the rain and the wind, so overall, it was nice to keep a clean card,” said Scheffler after his round. “I feel like my game is in a good place, and I just need to stay patient.”
His ability to maintain composure under difficult conditions once again highlighted why he remains the world’s top-ranked golfer. Scheffler’s consistency off the tee and sharp short game allowed him to avoid the mistakes that plagued several of his competitors.
McIlroy’s ‘Pedestrian’ Performance
In contrast, Rory McIlroy found himself struggling for consistency during his opening round. The Northern Irishman carded an even-par 70, failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities. He particularly struggled with his driving accuracy early on, which forced him into recovery mode on multiple occasions.
“I couldn’t really find the middle of the club face for the first few holes,” McIlroy admitted. “It was a little pedestrian, to be honest. I know there’s a lot to work on, but I’m not too concerned. This is about sharpening up before Augusta.”
Despite a slow start, McIlroy remains optimistic about the tournament, believing he can make up ground with better execution in the following rounds.
Leaderboard Standings
As play was suspended due to darkness, four players—Keith Mitchell, Ryan Gerard, Alejandro Tosti, and Taylor Pendrith—shared the lead at 5-under-par 65. Scheffler finished the day two strokes behind the leaders, while McIlroy sits five strokes back, needing a strong second round to stay in contention.
Weather Challenges and Course Conditions
The opening round was played under challenging weather conditions, with persistent rain and gusty winds making shot selection crucial. Memorial Park’s fast greens and tight fairways added to the difficulty, forcing players to adjust their approach throughout the round.
“It was tricky out there, but that’s what makes these tournaments great,” said Scheffler. “You want to be tested before a major.”
Looking Ahead
With three rounds remaining, the Houston Open promises to be an exciting lead-up to The Masters. Scheffler will look to maintain his strong start, while McIlroy will need a significant improvement to climb the leaderboard. Other top contenders will also aim to assert themselves as the competition intensifies.
Golf fans can expect plenty of drama over the next few days as the world’s best fine-tune their games ahead of Augusta. Will Scheffler continue his dominance, or will McIlroy find his form and make a charge? The coming rounds will provide the answer.
