If, by Rory McIlroy’s frank admission, it was a “poor” opening to his US PGA Championship, then the rest of the Valhalla field has reason to worry. McIlroy’s five-under 66 in Kentucky served as the latest indication that he is nearing the end of a sometimes painful wait for a fifth major that dates back to 2014.
McIlroy’s caution was understandable. The 35-year-old putter kept his head above water before a three-hole stretch of birdies from McIlroy’s 5th, 14th. The Northern Irishman came in 6th. The score was an inside half of 31, which leaves McIlroy four behind Xander Schauffele, the first-round leader.
“I thought I got a lot out of my game today,” McIlroy said. “I’m not too happy with how I played, but at least I’m happy with the result.” Indeed, McIlroy salvaged a tie on the 18th thanks to a magnificent 120-yard wedge shot after finding water off the tee. His performance was combative.
McIlroy and Friday’s later starters will be lucky to complete round two on schedule. Thunderstorms are forecast for Valhalla, which would disrupt the tournament and bring back memories of it being held here in 2014. Scotty Scheffler was too young to compete then; the Masters champion showed he is determined to continue his spell of dominance by chipping in from 167 yards for eagle on his first hole of the tournament. The world number 1 scored 67 points.
There have been four rounds of 62 in major championship history; Schaufele published two of them. He stood on the 9th green, his 18th, to putt over 30 feet, which would have made him the first man to shoot a 61 at the area. Schaufele had to settle for nine under par and stealing the course record from Jose Maria Olazabal, who posted a 63 here in 2000. Schaufele’s final 62 was also the lowest score in PGA of the United States. He is eager to end his wait for a first victory in one of golf’s four premier events.
“I’ll take a 62 any day in any major golf,” said Schaufele, who believes he’s playing the best golf of his career. “Not winning makes you want to win more, as weird as that is. For me, at least, I react to it and I want it more and more and more and it makes me want to work harder and harder and harder. The top seems far away and I feel like I have a lot of work to do.”
Robert McIntyre – as well as Tom Kim, Thomas Detry, Colin Morikawa and Tom Hodge – matched McIlroy’s score. The Scot has spent the last three weeks at home, which seems to have given his season a boost. “It was tough,” McIntyre said of his life in the US. “It’s not like Oban. When you come back home, there are lots of friends and family you spend time with; my nephews, everyone who is close to me and really cares for me. When I’m in America, it’s just me and my girlfriend. We try to live the best life possible. But it’s hard when we’re both so close to family and friends. I went home and hardly touched the golf clubs and did some stupid things and just had fun.”
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Sahit Tigala and Tony Finau are at six under. At four under defending champion, Brooks Koepka, is worth noting. The highlight of Koepka’s round was an eagle three-putt on the 7th. Koepka’s great iron play was highlighted by finding 14 greens in regulation.
Tiger Woods was under par and looked promising before three bogeying his final two holes. Woods again bemoaned the lack of tournament action after his 72 years. It’s hard to see how the 15-time major champion gets out of this unsatisfying run. “I’m definitely getting stronger,” Woods said. “I just don’t play a lot of competitive rounds. I haven’t played since the Masters. So it’s a little bit different than being at home and playing a flat course in Florida.”
Victor Hovland offered a belated return to form thanks to a 68. Bryson DeChambeau is also three under. Justin Thomas, who grew up in Louisville, is next to Jordan Spieth at two under. In Muhammad Ali’s hometown, among those spread across the canvas is Michael Block. The US PGA 2023 fan favorite dropped to a 76 after carding a quadruple eight on the 2nd. There will be no Block party this time.
