Scottie Scheffler leads with Rory McIlroy seven back as play suspended Friday at Texas Children's Houston Open.

Three late birdies squeezed Rory McIlroy inside the cut line as Scottie Scheffler tied the course record to take the lead at the Houston Open. McIlroy was outside the cut before three successive birdies from the 16th lifted him to four-under-par on a day disrupted by thunderstorms.

Rory McIlroy previously shared how awestruck he is of Scottie Scheffler's game, prompting the World No. 1 to respond in kind at the Houston Open.

The world No. 1 is chasing Keith Mitchell, Ryan Gerard, Alejandro Tosti, and Taylor Pendrith, who all sat at 5-under 65 after the first round.

Rainy, windy conditions were the story of the day in the opening round of the 2025 Houston Open as players struggled to score around Memorial Park Golf Course. Handling the on-and-off rain clouds and an annoying breeze most effectively were a group of four players including Taylor Pendrith and Keith Mitchell who rose to the top of the leaderboard thanks to first-round 65s.

Three late birdies moved Rory McIlroy inside the cut line as Scottie Scheffler tied the course record to take the lead at the Texas Children’s Houston Open. McIlroy was outside the cut before three successive birdies from the 16th lifted him to four-under-par on a day disrupted by thunderstorms.