5 Essential Facts to Know After Round 1 of the FedEx St. Jude Classic

1. Seung-Yul Noh Loves Memphis

After carding a 5-under 65 yesterday, the 25 year-old South Korean is now 14-under par in his last three rounds at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. In 2015, Noh made the cut on the number, and went on to shoot 66 and 65 over the weekend to finish T-3. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s three straight rounds at 66 or better.

2. TPC Southwind’s Reputation Remains

TPC Southwind certainly lived up to its reputation of being one of the tougher courses on tour. The Par 70 played to a stroke average of 71.09. Tough courses also lead to jam packed leaderboards. Twenty-two players are within 3 shots of the lead.

3. Dustin Started Slow & Got Red Hot

The tournament favorite, Dustin Johnson, started slow ( 2-over thru 5 holes) but then got red hot, beginning on the 16th hole with an eagle (he started on the back nine). The 2012 FedEx St. Jude’s champ followed up his eagle with four straight birdies – going 6-under par over a five-hole stretch. For the round, the world’s 6th ranked golfer averaged 321.8 yards off the tee and hit 85.71% of his fairways (12 of 14).

4. Stricker Seeks Success

The 12 time PGA Tour winner, who is fondly called Mr. September, hasn’t won since the 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Lying T-4 at 4-under, the 49 year old is hoping to turn around his season where he’s missed 50% of his cuts (4/8). His only Top 10 finish this season came at the Valspar Championship.

5. Phil’s Putter Saves The Day

Phil Mickelson has had quite a rocky relationship with his putter throughout his career. (He’s changed putters, he’s changed grips, forward press – no forwards press… you get the point.)

But on a day when he hit only 9 greens, and 7 of 14 fairways, Lefty had to rely on his putter to grind out an even par 70. The cagey veteran holed five putts over 10′ long, and four more that were no gimmes.