ANDAmerican Xander Schauffele broke the course record at Valhalla Golf Club, the venue for the second Major of 2024, the PGA Championship, and became the first leader, by equaling the lowest round of grand slam tournaments.
The current Olympic champion, 30 years old, had already achieved 62 hits in the first round of the US Open last year, something that his compatriot Rickie Fowler also achieved that same day. And there was also a 62, by South African Branden Grace, at the 2017 British Open.
“It feels great. It’s only the first day, but if someone had told me I would hit nine under par I would have accepted it,” Schauffele said. “It’s a great start to a great tournament,” she added.
Schauffele beats his compatriots Tony Finau and Sahith Theegala by three strokes, while four were left behind, among others, the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who is seeking his first Major since winning this same tournament, and on this same court, ten years ago.
The world number one, the American Scottie Scheffler, had a hopeful start, with an eagle on his first hole, and in the end he finished the round sharing the 12th spot, with 67 strokes (-4).
Former world number one Tiger Woods finished with a 73, two over par. “It took me three holes to get back in the competitive state of mind. There are things I adapt to very quickly, today it took me a little time to do it,” he said.
The one who had a bad day was the Colombian Camilo Villegas, who finished very far from the lead, and even from the possibility of making the cut, with a card of 79 strokes (+8), with four birdies, seven bogeys and two double bogeys.
Camilo Villegas
Photo:
SPORTS
With AFP and Efe
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