Scottie Scheffler launches his PGA Championship protection with a commanding 67, sharing the first-round lead at Aronimink Golf Membership in a seven-way tie at three underneath par.
Scheffler’s Dominant Opening Spherical
The world No. 1 matches scores with Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune, Alex Smalley, and Martin Kaymer. Scheffler misses just one fairway off the tee, excels on the greens, and advantages from a free drop on the par-three seventeenth after his ball lands close to a sprinkler head. He saves par there after cleansing up from the placing floor.
His sole bogey comes on the 14th after lacking a three-footer, however Scheffler laughs it off amid in any other case flawless play on a difficult day. This marks the primary time Scheffler leads a serious after 18 holes, signaling a shift from his latest gradual begins in three straight runner-up finishes.
Martin Kaymer’s Stunning Resurgence
At 41, after 12 years battling accidents and swing modifications, Kaymer posts a 67 with 4 birdies and one bogey regardless of robust afternoon winds. He shares a lighthearted story from the champions’ dinner: “A PGA of America official requested if I nonetheless play. I replied, ‘That is why I am right here—I am not flying from Europe only for the New York strip.’ That motivated me.”
McIlroy’s Irritating End
Rory McIlroy playing cards a 74, calling it “s***” after bogeying his ultimate 4 holes, three from missed par putts inside eight ft. His driver struggles persist, hitting solely 4 fairways with a two-way miss. “I am simply not driving the ball properly sufficient,” McIlroy states. “It has been an issue all yr. I miss it proper, right it, and miss left. I pleasure myself on driving properly.”
He practices over an hour post-round, however Aronimink’s dense tough presents much less forgiveness than Augusta, the place short-game magic saved him on the Masters.
DeChambeau and Course Challenges
Bryson DeChambeau shoots 76, shouting “fore proper” repeatedly as pictures veer towards spectators. The course, with 174 bunkers, turtleback greens, and sloping fairways, checks the sphere amid breezy situations. Firmer climate forward might make the eleventh gap almost unplayable, as DeChambeau’s putt rolls 50 ft previous.
Different High Contenders
Ten main winners lurk inside two pictures: Xander Schauffele, Patrick Reed, and Shane Lowry at two underneath; Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith, and Brooks Koepka at one underneath. England’s Dan Brown sits at two underneath. Justin Rose, Aaron Rai, and Matt Fitzpatrick stand even par.
