Champions gather at Southern Hills CC

Rory McIlroy was a very happy bunny on day one of this year’s US PGA Championship.  The 33-year old star from Northern Ireland took the early lead in the second Major of the season when he shot an opening round of 65 at the Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, USA.  It was a formidable start for the talented player who left us with such admiration after his runner-up spot to the newly-crowned Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler just a few weeks ago.

 

Five-under par round Southern Hills CC is a pretty good way to launch your attack on a Major.  In fact, McIlroy has already won four Majors in his career – the US Open in 2011, the US PGA Championship on two previous occasions (2012 and 2014) and the Open Championship in 2014.  Naturally, the Masters is a high priority on his list but a third US PGA title would also be a real blessing.

 

McIlroy plays on both the American PGA Tour as well as the European Tour.  On day one of the US PGA Championship he needed just 25 putts to secure his 65.  And what a delightful 65 it was.  On the first nine he birdied the 2nd, 5th and 9th but alas dropped shots at the 6th and 8th.  On the back nine, he triumphed with four straight birdies from the 11th through to the 15th.  Not a single bogey in sight, hence, happy bunny McIlroy.

 

He teed-off with two other golfing greats in Oklahama –  Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods.  Now that was a real treat for the spectators who were as keen as ever to see these mighty Major winners pick-up another title.  Spieth had to be satisfied with a 2-over par 72 while Tiger struggled and shot 4-over.  Winner of the 2007 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, Woods is going to have to dig really deep to redeem himself.  But we all know this determined golfer so well – where there is a will there is a way!

 

Today, the three play together again.  And, with more than a little bit of luck, some lucky guy from Northern Ireland will just keep holing those birdie putts.  He is one stroke ahead of the chasing pack at present.  And when I say chasing pack that is really quite a surprise.  Twenty-three year old Chilean golfer Joaquin Niemann is nestled in right behind Rory McIlroy on 4-under par with the likes of a team of Americans Justin Thomas, Tom Hoge and Will Zalatoris also on 66.  It promises to be another nail-biting day today.

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  Rory McIlroy is justly proud of his opening round in the US PGA Championship.