For a record-setting 5th time, Southern Hills in Tulsa is playing host to this week’s PGA Championship, the year’s 2nd major.
The Par 70 track has been restored since the last time it hosted the PGA back in 2007. So far through round 1, it looks like the guys that started early this morning have had the best of it weather-wise.
Rory McIlroy, who blitzed Augusta National with a final round 64 to finish 2nd at the Masters a month ago, continued his fine form with a 5 under 65 to lead by a shot over Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge. Former Sooner Abraham Ancer fired 3 under 67 as did Matt Kuchar. Xander Schauffele and Cam Smith lead a host of guys who finished with 2 under 68. Tony Finau, Patrick Reed, and Stewart Cink are in the group finished at -1. Max Homa, Viktor Hovland, and Alex Noren headline the level par finishers. Pre-tournament favorite Jordan Spieth struggled to a 2 over par 72. Tiger Woods was worse with 4 over 74.
The guys that are still on the course are battling the wind to various levels of success. Scottie Scheffler’s 2 under making the turn, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler are 1 under near the turn. Taylor Gooch, Dustin Johnson, and Colin Morikawa are among the even pars through the first half of the opening rounds.
by Aaron Kauk contact aaron@kecofm.com
