- Xander Schauffele equaled a major record with a 62 in the first round of the US PGA Championship, leading by three strokes at Valhalla.
- Despite missing a 32-foot putt on the last hole, Schauffele managed to beat the course record of 63 set by Jose Maria Olazabal in 2000.
- Rory McIlroy, despite a mid-round wobble that included a bogey on the 17th and a near-bogey on the 18th, managed to recover and finished with a five-under-par 66.Â
Newsypeople- In the first round of the US PGA Championship held in Kentucky, Xander Schauffele made headlines by equalling a major record with a stunning 62, leading the tournament with a three-stroke advantage. Schauffele’s performance was marked by a flawless bogey-free round, featuring nine birdies, which placed him atop the leaderboard.
His achievement matched scores previously recorded by himself and Rickie Fowler in the first round of the 2022 US Open, and by Branden Grace at the 2017 Open Championship. These rounds were all achieved on par-70 courses, contrasting with the par-71 layout of Valhalla where Schauffele’s record-setting round took place.
Also Read:Â Lady calls out Hilda Baci over alleged embarrassment at her restaurant -VIDEO
Rory McIlroy, the world number two, demonstrated resilience despite a mid-round hiccup. Starting strongly with two birdies in his initial four holes, McIlroy encountered a setback with a bogey on the 17th hole, followed by a wayward drive on the par-five 18th that landed in water. However, he managed to scramble a par on the 18th, which served as a turning point for his round.
McIlroy bounced back with a series of impressive shots, including a birdie on the first hole after his second shot from deep rough struck the flagstick, and a run of three consecutive birdies starting from the fifth hole. Despite his satisfaction with the final score, McIlroy expressed dissatisfaction with his overall play.
Robert MacIntyre, benefiting from Scottish home comforts, contributed to a strong showing by posting a five-under-par 66, placing him alongside several other notable players such as Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Collin Morikawa, and Tom Kim. MacIntyre’s performance was highlighted by his ability to manage his game effectively when out of position, contributing to a solid round of golf.
This round showcased the depth of talent in the field, with several players, including defending champion Brooks Koepka and world number one Scottie Scheffler, also making significant contributions. Scheffler started ominously with an eagle-two on the opening hole, while Koepka maintained a steady presence near the top of the leaderboard. Jon Rahm, recovering from a poor start, finished with a one-under-par 70, demonstrating the high level of competition throughout the day.
Overall, the first round of the US PGA Championship was characterized by exceptional performances, with Schauffele setting a new standard, McIlroy overcoming challenges to stay competitive, and MacIntyre showcasing his skills amidst the challenging conditions.
Also Read: Travis Kelce ‘Surprised’ By Ryan Murphy’s Interest In Casting Him In Grotesquerie
