If this was, according to Rory McIlroy’s candid admission, a “sloppy” opening to his US PGA Championship, then the rest of the Valhalla field has reason to be concerned. A five-under-par 66 from McIlroy at Kentucky was the latest indication he is about to end a sometimes-agonizing wait for a fifth major title dating back to 2014.
McIlroy’s caution was understandable. The 35-year-old’s putter kept his head above water for a series of three-hole birdies from the 5th, McIlroy’s 14th. The Northern Irishman scored in the 6th. The result was an inside half of 31, leaving McIlroy four behind first-round leader Xander Schauffele.
“I thought I got a lot out of my game today,” McIlroy said. “I’m not really satisfied with how I played, but I am certainly satisfied with the score.” McIlroy saved par on the 18th thanks to a glorious wedge shot from 120 yards after finding water off the tee. His performance was a combative one.
McIlroy and Friday’s later starters will be lucky to complete the second round in time. Thunderstorms are forecast for Valhalla, which would disrupt the tournament and bring back memories of the 2014 venue here. Scottie Scheffler was too young to compete at the time; the Masters champion showed he is intent on continuing his dominance by finding an eagle from 167 yards on his first hole of the tournament. The world number 1 then scored 67.
There have been four rounds of 62 in major championship history; Schauffele posted two. He stood on the 9th green, his 18th, over a 30-foot birdie putt that would have made him the first man to shoot 61 in this domain. Schauffele had to make do with nine under par and steal the course record from José María Olazábal, who signed here in 2000 for a 63. Schauffele’s last 62 was also the lowest score in an American PGA. He is keen to end the wait for a first win in one of golf’s four major events.
“I hit a 62 every day in every major,” said Schauffele, who believes he is playing the best golf of his career. “If you don’t win, you want to win more, no matter how strange that is. For me at least, I respond to it, and I want it more and more and more, and it makes me want to work harder and harder. The top feels far away and I feel like I still have a lot of work to do.”
Robert MacIntyre – as well as Tom Kim, Thomas Detry, Collin Morikawa and Tom Hoge – matched McIlroy’s score. The Scot has spent three weeks at home in recent weeks, which appears to have kick-started his season. “It was tough,” MacIntyre said of his life in the US. ‘It’s not like Oban. When I go back home, it’s a lot of friends and family that you spend time with; my nieces, everyone who is close to me and really cares about 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 came home and barely touched the golf clubs, did some stupid stuff and just enjoyed it.”
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Sahith Theegala and Tony Finau are at six under. At four below the defending champion Brooks Koepka is worth paying attention to. The highlight of Koepka’s round was an eagle three on the 7th. Koepka’s formidable iron play was highlighted by finding 14 greens in regulation.
Tiger Woods was undersized and looked promising before three hit his final two holes. Woods again complained about a lack of tournament action after age 72. It’s hard to see how the fifteen-time Major champion will emerge from this unsatisfactory cycle. “I’m definitely getting stronger,” Woods said. “It’s just that I don’t play that many competitive rounds. I haven’t played since the Masters. So it’s a little different than being at home and playing on a flat course in Florida.”
Viktor Hovland suggested a late 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 minus two. Michael Block is on the canvas in Muhammad Ali’s hometown. The 2023 American PGA fan favorite fell to a 76 after hitting a quadruple bogey eight at the 2nd. This time there will be no Block party.
