While most golf fans eagerly awaited the “Rory and Jordan” show that was to unfold in the afternoon at Whistling Straits, the long-hitting American racked up an eagle at the par-five 16th, five birdies and a bogey to card a six-under-par 66.
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Johnson is back at the venue where five years ago he incurred a two-stroke penalty on the final hole of the last PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, costing him a spot in a playoff.
The first instalment of the much-anticipated duel between fit-again world No1 Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, who is chasing a third win at a Major this year, ended with both on one under par.
If the forecasts hold up, overnight leader Johnson will have the better of the conditions today with the wind predicted to drop about the time he sinks his first tee in the ground this afternoon.
“And I really felt like I was just super patient, stayed focused all day”. They’re paired together with British Open victor Zach Johnson, who shot a three over 75 in the first round, and will tee off at 9:05 a.m. Eastern on Friday.
Still working through the latest swing change of his career after recovering from back surgery, Woods has endured a dismal 2015 campaign featuring three missed cuts, a withdrawal and just two top-25 finishes in nine starts.
“Anything under-par this afternoon was a good score”.
“I just finally chilled out, got relaxed and played some golf”, Kennedy said.
But Tiger Woods is set to head home early from his third consecutive Major after dropping more F-bombs than birdie putts in his 75.
Already tied for the lead, Dustin Johnson was in position for more Thursday in the PGA Championship.
Good for his soul was getting that first tee shot out of the way, and especially the 3-wood he hit pure as ever onto the green at the par-5 second that led to birdie.
McIlroy birdied the 16th to get to two under before bogeying his final hole, the par-four 18th, after his three-iron approach leaked right of the green into rough. I knew there would be a few chances, so I thought trying to shoot something under 70 was realistic.
“If I don’t win”, he said, “I better have something for her or take her shopping”.
Sweden’s David Lingmerth defied the conditions to reach six under after covering the back nine in 31 and picking up another shot on the fifth, only to promptly three-putt the sixth for his first bogey of the day.
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“This was definitely the time to take advantage of the golf course, Probably as easy as we have seen this place play”. “Just didn’t have the speed at all”. “I struck the ball well so I was very pleased”. “And on nine, my first putt I hit it a little too hard and fortunately I made a nice comeback for par, to end the day with a good, positive vibe”. “But hopefully I can hit the ball as well as I did today [on Friday] and make some putts”.
