New world number one Rory McIlroy teed off at the USPGA Championship at Valhalla early this morning, seeking to become the third-youngest golfer in history to win three majors.
Legend Jack Nicklaus was 23, Tiger Woods 24, McIlroy is 25.
But McIlroy had a couple of hiccups during the opening round.
Playing in the marquee group of the three reigning major champions – Bubba Watson (Masters) and Martin Kaymer (US Open) – the British Open champion went out in 32 with three birdies.
But trouble struck at the 10th with a shot going out of bounds and a double bogey, followed by a bogey. Then the real McIlroy returned with a vengeance with five birdies in his last seven holes for a 66.
Watson and Kaymer both shot 70s.
Showing the way is Englishman Lee Westwood. Westwood is yet to win a major and is playing in his 17th USPGA Championship.
Westwood fired in a 65 with nine birdies, a double and a bogey to share the lead with two Americans Kevin Chappell and Ryan Palmer.
The two highest ranked Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day shot 71 and 69 respectively, but didn’t make the most of the benign conditions.
Long-time rivals Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods were in the same group for the 32nd time. Mickelson shot 59, Woods 74.
What a ‘miracle’ recovery by Woods who withdrew in the final round of the Bridgestone last week with a severe back injury. He was in such agony he could hardly walk.
Traction or a wheelchair looked the only alternatives, yet he turns up at Valhalla overnight all bright and breezy, with a spring in his step.
A miracle alright, or has Woods resorted to becoming a hypochondriac in order to grab attention? His golf isn’t worth watching.
Woods is currently tied for 115th, and needs a big second round to make the cut.
Let’s see what excuse surfaces if he has the weekend off.
An “unshakeable” Scottie Scheffler has claimed his second Masters green jacket in three years, carding a four-under-par 68 to finish four shots clear of…
A day after setting a tournament record in the Masters, Tiger Woods has suffered an unwanted milestone at Augusta National. Woods insisted he could…
Tiger Woods is on the prowl for a sixth green jacket after penning another glorious chapter in his storied career with a record-breaking 24th…
Bryson DeChambeau has laid some demons to rest with a stunning back-nine birdie barrage to seize the first-round lead at the weather-hit Masters. The…
A year after being persona non grata at Augusta National, Australian golf legend Greg Norman is back at the Masters, declaring "the boss is…
Australian golf star Min Woo Lee has revealed he will play the Masters with a broken finger after suffering the freak injury in the…
