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At the PGA Championship, Justin Thomas finds solace in the comfort of his hometown. With a surge of emotions, he cherished the unwavering support of family and friends, soaking in the unique ambiance. Despite expressing disappointment at the tournament’s nearing end, he remains determined to savor the final round, fully embracing the special moment.
At the PGA Championship, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, and Viktor Hovland set the pace with seven-under-par 64s, leading the opening round. The low scoring was aided by soft conditions and receptive greens, which allowed for aggressive pin attacks. Hovland’s hole-in-one on the par-three 15th highlighted the day’s impressive performances. Notable scores also included Justin Thomas’s 65, Scottie Scheffler’s 66, and two-time PGA champion John Daly’s 67.
**Scheffler’s Turbulent Morning at Valhalla**
On Friday at the Valhalla Golf Club, Scottie Scheffler’s day took an unexpected turn. An early morning incident with a police officer led to his arrest, casting doubt on his participation in the tournament. However, Scheffler’s release less than two hours later allowed him to return to the course, where he teed off at 10:08 AM. Despite the abbreviated warmup, Scheffler recorded a near-eagle on the first hole and ultimately shot a 66 to remain near the top of the leaderboard.
Records plummeted on a birdie-filled Thursday at the PGA Championship. The scoring average of 69.457 tied the lowest for an opening round in major championship history.
Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka and Viktor Hovland shared the lead on seven-under-par 64, with Schauffele and Koepka each carding nine birdies.
Hovland, who won the 2022 Hero World Challenge, made a hole-in-one on the par-three 15th.
Other notable scores included Justin Thomas’s 65, Scottie Scheffler’s 66, and two-time PGA champion John Daly’s 67.
The low scoring was due in part to the soft conditions following heavy rain earlier in the week. The greens were also receptive, making it easier for players to attack the pins.
Xander Schauffele continued his impressive performance at the PGA Championship, carding a 6-under 62 in the second round. The 62 is Schauffele’s lowest score in a major championship and gives him a share of the lead heading into the weekend.
Schauffele’s round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 10th hole and five birdies. He only made one bogey, on the par-3 16th hole.
“I’ll always take a 62,” Schauffele said. “It was a great day out there. I hit the ball well and made some putts.”
Schauffele is now tied with Brooks Koepka at 8-under 132. The two will play together in the third round on Saturday.
At the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Brooks Koepka will battle for the Wanamaker Trophy. These three golfers have been the most successful in majors in recent years, and they will be the favorites to win this week.
McIlroy has won four majors, including the PGA Championship in 2014. He is currently the world’s number one-ranked golfer and will be looking to add to his major tally this week.
Woods has won 15 majors, including the PGA Championship four times. He is making his return to the PGA Championship after missing the event last year due to injury. He will be looking to add to his major tally and win his first major since 2019.
Koepka has won four majors, including the PGA Championship twice. He is currently the world’s number two-ranked golfer and will be looking to win his third major of the year.
Rory McIlroy deflected questions about LIV Golf during a press conference ahead of the PGA Championship, despite the recent departure of two top players to the upstart league. McIlroy, who has been a vocal critic of LIV Golf, refused to delve into the specific details of the situation, emphasizing his focus on the upcoming tournament. He acknowledged the importance of momentum but declined to comment on how the recent events could potentially impact his performance. Instead, McIlroy reiterated his commitment to the PGA Tour and expressed his excitement about the upcoming major championship.
With the 2024 PGA Championship just around the corner, golf fans are eagerly awaiting the emergence of potential sleeper picks. One player who has quietly impressed this season is Cameron Young. The 25-year-old American has notched up five top-10 finishes in 2023, including a victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship. Young’s impressive driving distance and accurate approach play could prove to be a formidable combination at Valhalla’s challenging layout. Another player to watch is Kurt Kitayama. The 29-year-old from California has steadily risen through the ranks and is currently ranked 30th in the world. Kitayama’s precise iron play and ability to handle pressure situations make him a dark horse candidate to contend in Louisville.