Keith Mitchell kicked off the 2025 Truist Championship with a career-best 61 on Thursday, storming to a solo lead at 9-under par. The bogey-free round at the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course was the lowest of Mitchell’s PGA TOUR career and set the tone for an eventful opening day.
Mitchell, who has now led after Round 1 more times than any other player this season, is again in position to contend—if he can keep the momentum going. As Round 2 tees off Friday, he remains atop the leaderboard, but with a full day of golf ahead, his lead will face a fresh test.
“Three more rounds like today will probably do it, and trying not to win on Friday and Saturday and Sunday, just trying to play my best,” Keith Mitchell said after Thursday’s round. “You know, it’s harder — I’ve made it pretty hard lately. Hopefully I can just stay in front of it.”
Despite strong starts throughout the 2025 season, Mitchell has yet to close the deal. But his recent stretch of four straight top-20 finishes suggests he’s trending upward, and Thursday’s performance shows he’s dialed in.
Denny McCarthy lurks one shot behind after posting a season-best 62, leading the field in Strokes Gained: Putting. Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Sepp Straka, and Akshay Bhatia all opened with 63s to stay firmly in contention.
Defending champion and FedExCup leader Rory McIlroy opened with a 66, currently five shots off the lead as he chases a fifth Truist Championship title.
With Round 2 in full swing, all eyes are on whether Mitchell can keep his foot on the gas or if another name will rise to the top by day’s end.