The other 17 golfers all posted 4s on the last two holes.
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Harris English, Andy Sullivan and James Hahn were among those at 67. All three are searching for their first major. World No2 Dustin Johnson, who won the US Open at Oakmont in June, endured a nightmare as he returned a round of 77 – only five players scored worst. “I just remember it was a lot of golf course for me”.
“I’m glad I took Monday, Tuesday off, even though I’m a little bit under the weather”, said Day, who sneezed his way through another hot day at Baltusrol.
But there were happy memories, too. “It’s because they’re good”. Sanders now is his caddie.
Every player looks ahead to Baltusrol’s birdie rush. As for memories of meeting Walker?
It was a precursor for more misery with his putting at the PGA Championship.
Watson featured in one of the tournament’s premier pairings alongside world No. 3 Jordan Spieth and No. 10 Sergio Garcia.
McIlroy was at least nine shots behind after one round, and that doesn’t bode well.
Maybe even more impressive than Walker’s round was Martin Kaymer’s 4-under 66 in the blustery afternoon conditions. He never recovered at Oakmont, missing the cut in the U.S. Open.
Koepka had to pull out during the first round of the Bridgestone Invitational because of torn ligaments in his right ankle, and he probably wouldn’t be playing this week except that it’s the final major of the year. His ankle is taped and he is wearing a brace. Koepka had four birdies and an eagle Thursday, but he also had two bogeys and a double-bogey on the first hole. Points count double at a major, so Koepka has a good chance to move back into the top eight that automatically qualify. His 65 was his low round in 18 major starts. That’s where he paired with Rickie Fowler to halve three matches and lose another the first two days before he became just one of four Americans to win in singles on a Sunday when the USA team uncharacteristically collapsed. He just stayed away from the golf course, and his clubs. 13-15, all par-4s. Kaymer won the tournament six years ago.
“Held strong, made a couple par saves”.
Walker, a back-nine starter, followed his lone bogey at the sixth with a 31-foot birdie putt at the seventh to grab the lead.
Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson staged a stirring rally late in his final seven holes.
Thursday in the PGA Championship, the drinks were on Walker.
Scott Hend joined Day at 2-under thanks to three birdies in a row late in his round. Tied with him at 3 under were Jimmy Walker and Brian Stuard.
Holder Jason Day played in McIlroy’s group and made plenty of scoring opportunities before settling on 68, two-under par.
“I was excited to play and compete again and not have to have a month off for preparation”, said Mickelson, who won his second major title the last time Baltusrol staged the US PGA in 2005.
But several of the favorites stumbled over the first 18 holes at the 7,428-yard layout. Fowler’s playing partners parred the hole.
Day only played one practice round after suffering from a cold and then rushing his wife Ellie with a food allergy early on Wednesday morning.
What will Baltusrol serve up this week at the PGA Championship?
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“I’m a good putter”, Walker said. But that leads to a curious aspect about Baltusrol that this week might solve. His 4-over 74 was the first time he failed to break par in the opening round of the PGA Championship. The 49-year-old Brown is the head pro at Tam O’Shanter Golf Club in Brookville. He was a runner-up at the PGA Professional Championship in June. Twenty players were at 68 or better, a list that included defending champion Jason Day.
