Bermuda, Bahama, Robert Oppenheim-a

To those of you who trudged through the snow with trick-or-treaters, we salute you. November arrives with a sleepy weekend of golf, but golf nonetheless. Haotong Li leads the charge in China while Korn Ferry grads dominate the Bermuda leaderboard.

The home boi

We are not fans of the WGC-HSBC Champions, but it would be really cool if Haotong Li won this weekend. The highest ranked Chinese player in the world, Li jumped out to a one-shot lead following a first-round 64 in Shanghai. He made seven birdies and an eagle along the way. WGC-HSBC Champions Leaderboard

In a tour full of young talent, Haotong Li is something of a forgotten man. Hailing from China, Li burst onto the scene at the 2017 Open Championship, when he shot a final-round 63 and finished third. His biggest win to date came at the 2018 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, but he has not won since that event. Now he’s three rounds from ending that drought and winning in his home country on the international stage.

Leaderboard notes

• Sungjae Im continues to pepper the top of the leaderboard. He shot 66 on Thursday at the WGC-HSBC Champions and sits two shots back of Li. And yes, he has locked up a Presidents Cup captain’s pick.
• Canadian Corey Conners is making a last-second push in his attempt to earn a Presidents Cup pick. Conners shot a first-round 67, and is coming off back-to-back top-15 finishes.
• Defending champion Xander Schauffele tied Im with a 66 of his own on Thursday. X is recovering from an illness this weekend, but that did not slow him down during the first round.
• Englishmen Matthew Fitzpatrick and Danny Willett both find themselves inside the top five as we start in the second round.

Smokin’ hot

Aruba, Jamaica, Smokin’ Scottie Scheffler

Bermuda, Bahama, Robert Oppenheim-a

Key Largo, Bo Hoag-o, baby why don’t we go, Jamaica…

Round one of the inaugural Bermuda Championship is officially in the books. Despite a bogey on his closing hole, Scottie Scheffler holds the solo lead following his opening round of 62. Scheffler made eight birdies and an eagle, suffering his lone bogey on his way home. Smokin’ Scottie cruised through the Korn Ferry Tour last year and is off to a solid start on the PGA Tour this fall. His weekend scoring needs improvement, but that will come with experience. In the weak Bermuda field, Scheffler has a prime chance to grab his first PGA Tour victory.

Wes Roach (63), Rob Oppenheim (64), Russell Knox (64), Bo Hoag, (64), and John Senden (65) are the only players within three shots of Scheffler’s lead. Bermuda Championship Leaderboard

Quick Hooks

Mi Jung Hur and defending champion Nelly Korda fired 66s at the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA on Thursday. Among those in the mix are Minjee Lee (67), Su-Hyun Oh (68), Angel Yin (68), Jessica Korda (68), and Hyo Joo Kim (69). Leaderboard

Two rounds remain in the LPGA Q-Series at Pinehurst. The eight-round event is a true marathon. Scoring

If you missed our Wednesday newsletter, a bunch of golf fanatics are gathering in Cincinnati to raise money for a little girl with spinal muscular atrophy. Follow Strong like Stella

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You know where it doesn’t snow? Bermuda. You know where it’s nice and hot? Bermuda. You know what you should use to wipe the sweat off your brow while you’re playing golf? This towel.