ATLANTA _ There probably was more scoreboard watching done by the players at East Lake on Thursday than there has been during the first round of any other event this season. The curiosity to see how the new playoff system would work for the Tour Championship _ especially by those who began in the middle of the pack _ was more than most could bear.
"After five holes, I wanted to see scores," Paul Casey said. "I never usually care about what's going on after five holes because you know where you stand usually."
Rookie Sungjae Im, notorious for ignoring the scoreboards, said, "I couldn't resist looking. I was just curious."
For the most part, the players approved the new format _ at least for the first day.
"I think it's a little bit more straightforward and right in front of you," Rickie Fowler said. "A lot easier to understand and know what you need to do vs. the point system."
One of those who tried to avoid the scoreboards was Xander Schauffele, who shot 64 and moved into a tie for first place. But even he couldn't help it at times.
"They're so big, and they're right next to the green," Schauffele said. "If I'm reading a putt and the board is right behind my ball, of course I saw my name, but I quickly _ instead of looking at who else _ oh, I'm one ahead of this guy, I'm two behind this guy _ I just saw my name briefly."
