PEBBLE BEACH — Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry decorated stunning views Thursday with a hole-in-one for each on different courses. Russell Henley birdied his last two holes for an 8-under 64 and the lead. And there was Scottie Scheffler, looking very much like he was never away.

After recovering from a freak injury suffered during the holidays, Scottie Scheffler is back on tour and ready to hopefully have a good showing this weekend. The world No. 1 might be a little rusty after so much time off, but whenever the big man is on the course, Scheffler is always a contender.

Twenty-seven players in the world top 30 will play for the $3.6 million winner’s check (from a $20 million purse), with the only players missing being world No. 2 Xander Schauffele ( rib injury) and LIV golfers Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau.