Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Golf Monthly
Golf Monthly
Sport
Roderick Easdale

PGA Championship Leaderboard And Live Updates: Schauffele Shoots A Record 62 And Has A Three-Shot Lead

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The first day of the 2024 PGA Championship was dominated by Xander Schauffele’s record-breaklng 62, which has given him a three-shot lead. Schauffele has broken the record for the lowest score at the PGA Championship, eclipsing the 18 rounds of 63 at PGA Championships, including Jose Maria Olazabal's one at Valhalla in the 2000 playing of this event.

In setting the course record, Schauffele has also become the first man to record multiple 62s in a Major. However the last time did not work out so well for him. It was in the US Open last year. After his 62 in the first round he followed it up with 70-73-72 and finished tied in 10th.

Tony Finau, Mark Hubbard and Sahith Theegala are tied for second after Thursday's opening round, three shots back from Schauffele. Rory McIlroy is in a seven-way tie for 4th. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is in a tie for 12th.

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD

  • -9 SCHAUFFELE
  • -6 FINAU, THEEGALA, HUBBARD
  • -5 MACINTYRE, MCILROY, HOGE, KIM, DETRY, MORIKAWA, MCNEALY
  • -4 KOHLES, KOEPKA, MOORE, SCHEFFLER , NOREN, ECKROAT. . 

Live updates from:

Hello and welcome to day one of the highly anticipated 2024 PGA Championship from Valhalla.

There's an all-star field assembled with all of golf's biggest names, and many of them come into the week in good form. We've got the likes of McIlroy, Woods and Koepka out this morning with World No.1 Scheffler playing in the afternoon.

ANTICIPATION GROWING AT VALHALLA AMONG FANS AND PLAYERS

The countdown is on to the opening tee time with last year's hero Michael Block hitting the first shot to get the Major underway. 

ABERG THE FIRST BIG NAME TO TEE OFF IN LESS THAN AN HOUR

Ludvig Aberg , an 18/1 shot, is the first star name to tee off at 12.53pm GMT in less than hour. The Swede is fresh from his impressive runner-up finish at Augusta in his first Major. He has been nursing a knee injury which has seen him wear a brace as a precaution but insists he is fully fit. He believes his Masters experience will help him saying: "I think playing in contention at Augusta makes that a little bit easier."

KOEPKA FIRED UP FOR TITLE DEFENCE 

LIV star Brooks Koepka is defending his crown this week and seems to have a point to prove after only coming tied 45th at Augusta in the opening Major despite the best efforts of his team. He admitted: "I just apologised. Everybody put in a lot of hard work. Dedicated a lot of time and effort and then for me to go out and play like that is not what I expect of myself, I don't think what they expect of me. We had a good talk and just kind of put our nose down and kept grinding. It was long hours on the range. Just worked with everybody and really tried to go back to the fundamentals, and I think that was the important thing."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

BLOCK GETS THE TOURNAMENT UNDERWAY 

Last year's hero Michael Block,47, the club pro from California who came tied fifth in 2023, has got the tournament underway. 

TIGER WOODS SEEN ON RANGE AHEAD OF HIS TEE TIME 

Woods, who won the PGA Championship four times including in 2000 at Valhalla, has been seen on the range ahead of his tee time at 9.14am ET (2.14pm BST).

COUNTDOWN ON FOR RORY'S TEE TIME AT 9.25AM ET (2.25PM BST)

Rory McIlroy won here at Valhalla in 2014 in his last Major triumph. He has returned in confident mood after winning on the PGA Tour on Sunday in the Wells Fargo Championship. His divorce proceedings have since become public with McIlroy refusing to take questions on the subject at his pre tournament press conference. He was asked: 'How are your energy levels, and just on a personal level, how are you doing? He replied: "I'm ready to play this week."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

NIGHTMARE FOR BLOCK WHO WILL STRUGGLE TO MAKE CUT 

Michael Block was one of the stories of last year's tournament as he came tied fifth but the club pro from California will struggle to make the cut this time around as he is +5 already. He bogeyed the first after going left off the tee and then amassed a quadruple bogey 8 on the par four second. 

WOODS UNDERWAY AFTER 293-YARD DRIVE 

Tiger Woods smashed a big drive down the middle of the fairway but pushed his approach to the par 5 10th into the right hand rough where he has a difficult chip from heavy rough over a bunker which he executes beautifully to give himself a birdie chance which slides by as he settles for par.

SCHAUFFELE AND MCILROY BOTH MAKE BRIGHT STARTS AFTER RECENT DUEL

Xander Schauffele was blown away by Rory McIlroy in the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship when the American's putter went cold and he limped home in a final round 71 but he is already -1 today after birdieing the 11th having started on the 10th. McIlroy , also starting on the par 5 10th, opened with a birdie.

McILROY OFF TO FLYER BUT WOODS DROPS SHOT ON HIS SECOND HOLE

McIlroy opened with a birdie four at the par 5 10th to get to -1 but Tiger dropped a shot on the 11th after missing the green at the par 3.

McILROY DISAPPOINTED WITH TEE SHOT AT PAR 3 11TH

McIlroy will still back himself to make par on the par 3 11th and stay -1 but he wasn't happy with his tee shot which finished on the far side of the two-tier green. He makes a par though.

WOODS MAKE SUPERB PAR SAVE ON 12TH AFTER WEDGING OUT OF ROUGH

Woods missed the fairway of the par 4 12th on the left side and had to wedge out on  to the short grass from where he has found the green from 180 yards and has a testing putt to save par which he superbly makes to avoid slipping to +2.

WOODS WEDGES ON TO THE PAR 4 13TH AND MAKES BIRDIE 

Tiger, fresh from his gutsy par on the 12th, has a putt on the 13th for 3 at the short par four which he makes to the delight of the huge crowds.

PROS STRUGGLING WITH 256-YARD PAR 3 14TH

Xander Schauffele is -2 for four holes after starting on the 10th but has reached the 14th where a lot of the pros are struggling. It is a long par 3 with four bunkers around it. Schauffele found the sand on the far side of the green but splashed out well from a tough downhill lie and went on to make a decent 3. 

McILROY CONTINUES FROM WHERE HE LEFT OFF AT WELLS FARGO

McIlroy finished superbly with a final round of 65 at Quail Hollow to win the Wells Fargo Championship and he has carried on his blistering form to get to -2 in four holes after starting on the 10th. He just converted his second birdie from close range at the short par 4 13th , which is over water.

PROMISING START FROM SPIETH

Jordan Spieth needs this Major to complete the Grand Slam and the American is off to a promising start. He is -2 for three holes after starting on the 10th. 

RED HOT START FROM THEEGALA WHO CHIPS IN

Sahith Theegala has birdied his first two holes , including this chip on the par 3 11th. What a start.

VIKTOR HOVLAND REDISCOVERS HIS BEST FORM

Hovland enjoyed a 2023 to remember including winning the FedEx Cup  before bizarrely splitting with his coach. But he is now back working with Joe Mayo and it appears to be paying dividends already with the Norwegian -3 for four holes today. 

WOODS GRINDING AWAY AND BACK TO EVEN PAR

Woods' superb par save on the 12th and subsequent birdie on 13 has got him back to level par before a par on the tricky 256-yard par 3 14th 

JT CHIPS IN

Thomas gets the biggest roar of the day with a chip-in on the 16th - lovely stuff there from the local man. 

XANDER TO -4

Woods finds the center of the 16th fairway, while Schauffele hits the front with another birdie. No signs of feeling sorry for himself after losing out to McIlroy last week. We already have quite a leaderboard - very early days, of course. 

HOVLAND DROPS BACK TO -2

A mistake from the Norwegian on 14. He can't make his 12-footer and drops back to -2. Elsewhere, former World No. 1 Luke Donald with a nice birdie on 10 gets the Englishman to the same score. 

WOODS WITH PAR ON 16

Woods races his birdie effort 10 feet by, but makes a decent return. Good job as he'd have been absolutely livid had he dropped one there. Dustin Johnson is +3 and looks quite out of sorts, and Aberg (+2) has also started slowly. 

SHORT GAME MASTERCLASS

Major Championships are always more exciting when Thomas is in the mix. Discuss. 

FINAU WITHIN 1

First birdie of the day at 14 comes from Tony Finau, who converts from short range to join the group at -3. 

LOTS TO REPORT

Max Homa plays a perfect bunker shot and finds the bottom of the cup; Koepka misses a shorty; and Schauffele in close at the par 5 after a sublime pitch from just off the green. I'm going to give him that one (-5). Woods, meanwhile, stays at +1 with a huge save. 

HOMA HOLES IT

Nicely done, Max. On Woods, he's not playing well but is just +1 and giving it 110%, fighting hard. It's surely rust and considering how little he's played, the way he's scrambling is quite remarkable. The worry is when +1 becomes +2 and +3 - how much does all the scrambling take away from him. He's used to being the one setting the pace. Right now that's Schauffele, who does move to -5. A two-shot lead.  

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, TONY?

We've not seen enough from Finau lately - but he's made a rapid start at Valhalla. He's alone in second now at -4. Woods, meanwhile, up by the green on the par 5 and will have eyes on getting back to even after nine holes. Might try and get a putter on it... we'll see. 

BOB MAC AT -3

You read that correctly - good to see the Scot showing some form. Come on, Robert. A good week would be enough to get the likeable MacIntyre moving in the right direction after a tough start to life in the States. Woods makes a mess of his chip - not easy but he's disappointed with that, his greenside effort dying as it hits a ridge and leaving him 15 feet away for birdie. 

SCHAUFFELE ON 1... BUNKERED 

Problems for the leader, although his lie at the 1st looks decent. I can't stop looking at the Valhalla clubhouse - I want to be sitting in it with a glass of wine. Anyway, Woods to turn in level par... misses and stays at +1. Aggressive effort but just slides by. That'll feel like a dropped shot after the second. Elsewhere, McIlroy drops back to -1.    

LEADER SAVES PAR, MCILROY IN TROUBLE

Of course he does. Schauffele with an immaculate bunker shot and tidies up from close range at the 1st. As a neutral, I think we'd all like to see some low ones before Scottie goes out. Rory with a loose drive, that one looked to be heading into the water off the tee. 

THE GOLD MEDALLIST LOOKING GOOD

We're reminded that Xander is an Olympic gold medallist. I'm not sure he'd admit it, but I'm pretty sure he'd swap it for a Major Championship. Schauffele will be defending his Olympic title in the summer. Will he arrive in Paris as a Major champion? He's -5 here and looks in pretty much total control of his game. It's early days, but I think we're getting an insight into how strong mentally he is - bouncing back after losing least week's 54-hole lead. I guess it's easier to accept when someone (McIlroy) just has an extraordinary nine holes. Anyway, talking of McIlroy, he is indeed wet... he'd take a six right now. 

XANDER ON FIRE

Approach on the 2nd almost stone dead. Lovely shot from the leader who will surely now move to -6 and regain his two-shot advantage. What are we saying... -7, -8? A word on Spieth, who has started well. In case you've forgotten, he's chasing the one Major Championship that has alluded him so far. He's currently at -3. Woods on the 1st with a world-class approach from the rough... how did he get so much spin there? 15 feet for birdie coming up, whilst McIlroy has a chance to scramble a par 5 after going in the water off the tee. 

JUST A PAR FOR WOODS, XANDER LEADS BY TWO

He'd have taken that after the tee shot (stays +1). It's all gone a bit quiet out there. Schauffele to -6... very impressive. Also very impressive is McIlroy's par save after finding the water off the tee. Spieth back to -2. 

MORE STRUGGLES FOR WOODS

Wouldn't we all be better golfers if we could perfect the cut drive that Woods has done? Another one off the 2nd tee... although it finds the bunker. Meanwhile, McIlroy misses another fairway on the 1st... just. A shocker from Jaeger from short range who drops a shot there and moves back to -2. Big push. Still going along nicely. Woods' fairway bunker shot is a good one but he can only leave himself a good angle to make an up-and-down for par. 

RORY HITS THE PIN!

McIlroy has pulled an 8-iron, heavy rough, ball above him. Standby for highlights... smacks the flag! 6 feet for birdie... wow. That's strength... and no shortage of talent. 

XANDER UNLEASHES A BOMB

Looked like Xander went after that one and it might be in trouble. Anything but on the short 4th. I fancy he'll up-and-down that one to get to -7. Woods with a gem, three feet for par after a delightful chip-and-run. Taylor Moore, meanwhile, gets to -3. I'm sure we'll see more players in action when the Xander masterclass is over... and Rory and Woods are finished up. Not seen much of Moore but we do see Bob MacIntyre again... mid range putt just drifts by. Stays at -3 through nine. 

RORY GOES PIN SEEKING 

They're saying how did it not go in? I'll tell you... it was coming in hot. Very hot. McIlroy, however, makes an unlikely birdie. 

SCHAUFFELE CHARGE CONTINUES 

-7. What a delightful chip. Nips it off a tight lie. That's why they spend hours on their short game, I guess. This is Scheffler-like. That's how you deal with a short par 4. 

BOB TO -4

Top-20 finishes in the last eight Majors from Xander, but he'll be focused of ridding himself of the 'Mr Consistency' tag this week. Another fairway found. McIlroy is trouble again on the 2nd in heavy rough - and no repeat of what happened on the last. A tricky up-and-down coming up. Brooks Koepka gets to -1, meanwhile. And Bob Mac joins Finau at -4. Lots of movement again on the leaderboard. 

BEAUTIFUL 2 FROM WOODS 

That was vintage from Woods. A delightful tee shot helps get him back to level - a laser iron shot that leaves him five feet for the birdie. He follows it up by finding the fairway. This is gritty from Woods. I want to see him now move from 'gritty' to 'hot'. McIlroy plays a superb chip with practically no room to work with. I'm liking what I see from Rory, who's not even getting bothered by the odd poor one. Seems more in control, technically and mentally. 

BALL ON A STRING

Makes the 2-inch putt that follows this and he'll have another short one to get to -8. 

RELENTLESS XANDER TO -8

5th hole. Birdie. It's relentless stuff from the American. He's pumped (inside, not showing much). Masterclass, this. Rolls that one in from about 12 feet. The stroke looked perfect, bit of bend, but the ball knows where it's going. Bottom. Of. The. Cup. So, so good. 

LET'S GO, BOB

Sorry, just been outside to practice my chipping after that Xander chip a minute or so ago. Bob's got the ball rolling on the green, too - gets to -5 alongside Tony Finau. 

THAT'S MORE LIKE IT, TIGER

More approach shots like that, an easy 8-iron, and maybe you do have one more in you. Can Tiger get under par? We'll find out shortly...

XANDER WITH A PAR (SHOCK)

Just a par from the leader. It was the toughest hole on the course. Three holes to go for him. Meanwhile, Woods burns the edge and stays level par. I can't help but think that back in the day he'd be the one showing the field a clean pair of heels. Still, he's in a good position with a few more opportunities left out there. 

CAM SMITH IN CONTENTION

Another big name is creeping up the leaderboard - LIV Golf's Cam Smith. He gets it to -3 and is looking very good. Not as good as Xander, though. The leader unleashes another beauty - 11/13 fairways. Finding the short stuff is the key around this monster. 

WOODS WITH A FAIRWAY FINDER

Another cut from Woods. I kind of miss seeing him lash at the ball... finding the fairway is all a bit boring. Joking aside, it's good stuff from Woods. McIlroy with a nice fade, too, after opting not to hit a driver on the short par 4 that Xander made light work of. 

WHAT A LEADERBOARD

I've got to say, this is all shaping up nicely. Seeing Cam Smith and Brooks Koepka up there and a host of other LIV golfers reminds me of the good old days - big names everywhere. 

THAT LEADERBOARD...

-8 Schauffele
-5 MacIntyre, Finau
-3 Kaymer, Kohles, Smith, Matsuyama, Spieth, Theegala, Moore

Meanwhile, McIlroy with a dart and he could soon join the group at -3. 

SMITH TO -4, RORY TO -3

Finau narrowly misses out on a birdie, stays -5. Woods from long, long range on the 6th. It's going to be a stress free par. Smith converts for birdie at the 4th - that's back-to-back birdies from the Aussie and he climbs to -4. Lovely putting stroke. McIlroy does convert his birdie and he joins the group at -3. This is what the world's best players do - they scramble when they need to to hang around, and then pounce when the opportunities come. 

AN ACE? NOT QUITE

Hatton almost holes his tee shot at the 3rd... just rolls by. There was no speed on that, it would have dropped. Woods in good shape at the 7th and he'll be able to get home from there and get himself under par. The leader remains untroubled. He's coming to the end of his round and hasn't put a foot wrong: right positions off the tee, a surgeon's touch around the greens and deadly with the putter. 

MAKE IT -9

Schauffele has a Major record in sight - the tournament's lowest round. He's -9 with two to play and is in total control. No wonder he is walking with a bit of a strut. Who wouldn't? Four-shot lead. 

XANDER LONG AT 8

A rare mistake from the leader who goes over the back with his tee shot at the par-3 8th. He's human. 

BLOCK WITH A 76

It was tough start for Michael Block, who grabbed the headlines last year. But what a 12 months it's been. He finishes his first round at +5. Good to see 'Blocky' back in action. All eyes now on the leader who is in trouble for the first time... go on, hole it. Let's see a record. 

RORY CHIPS IN, GETS TO -4

Jose Maria Olazabal holds the course record here (63, 2000). Xander Schauffele (-9) will have a tap-in at the 8th after a delightful chip from over the back of the green. Talking of delightful, Rory chips in and makes the most of a good break to avoid the sand. That's a birdie and the Northern Irishman, who won last week at Quail Hollow, is sitting pretty at -4. 

XANDER STARING AT A 61

Onto his final hole, a birdie and the American will have nudged in round in just 61 blows. A par and he'll set a new course record anyway, beating Olazabal's 9-under 63 back in 2000. Just off to check the betting, I fancy Scheffler may have drifted. Might be a good time to back the World No.1. 

WOODS UNDER PAR

That's a lovely roll there. Birdie at the par-5 7th and he gets under par. Had about 15 feet and it had a good bit of break on it - but he rammed it in. Xander is on the fairway and if he holes his second shot (wedge?), it'll be a round of 60. Not too shabby. 

XANDER WITH A PUTT FOR A 61

Hugely disappointing from Schauffele, who hits his approach wide. So sloppy. He'll have a long putt for a 61. I've got a feeling he'll make it - it's been that sort of day. Imperious stuff from last week's runner-up. 

BOGEY FOR WOODS, BACK LEVEL

Par-3 8th isn't exactly a green light, but it's no monster. Woods with a three putt from range and he's back to level. One to go for the 15-time Major winner. 

XANDER MAKES HISTORY, SHOOTS 62

It's a 62 from Schauffele. No more superlatives left. Let's just say it's been awesome stuff. It was asking a lot to make that one from range but he leaves it close enough to tidy it up with minimum fuss - and it's a 62. 

THOMAS STARTS WELL

A two under from Thomas and the local man looks happy with that effort, too. Cheers all round. 

RECORD-BREAKING XANDER

Read how Xander Schauffele broke a 24-year-old record to lead the PGA Championship. 

AND RELAX...

So, the hottest golfer on the course is off to sign for a 62. It's a good time to grab a cuppa and then come back to watch Woods and McIlroy close out their rounds. The latter has survived a wobble midway through his round to move into a very healthy position at -5. Michael Block is just reflecting on his 76... "It's not quite how I wanted to start the day," he says of his bogey, quad start. He's smiling, though, and why wouldn't he be after the last 12 months. He describes Schauffele as a "stud". 

FINAL WORD (FOR NOW) ON XANDER

Take a bow, Mr Schauffele. "A great start," he says. Err, yeah. It was. Right, back out to the course where Cam Smith has taken his shoes and socks off to play one out of the water. Makes a good job of it, too. Don't try that at home. 

MCILROY IN AT -5

A nice, swinging two-putt on the 9th (hist last). That's a 66. Cam Smith is over the back at the par-5 7th, but he chips to within eight feet. Given that he had to chip out sideways from the water, that would be some escape. So, how much of a lead is Schauffele going to have by the end of the day? He currently has a three-shot advantage. Martin Kaymer - remember him? - he's in at -3. Good to see the German, a former PGA champion of course, back in contention. 

RORY TO END 10-YEAR DROUGHT? 

It's a really strong start from last week's winner at Quail Hollow. Is this the year that he finally makes it five Major Championship victories? If he puts another one together like this tomorrow, he'll be bang in with a chance...

WOODS "GETTING STRONGER"

More from Woods (+1, 72). "I am getting stronger for sure. It's just that I just don't play a whole lot of competitive rounds. I haven't played since the Masters. So it's a little bit different than being at home and playing a flat Florida course."

The 15-time Major winner, adds: "So you have to just grind it out. It's a marathon. Major championships are a long grind. It's just plotting along. It's not a sprint. It's just a grind. I had a few years where I was able to participate for a very long time."

SCHAUFFELE: "IT'S JUST THURSDAY" 

Schauffele, as you might expect, is not getting ahead of himself. "It's a great start to a big tournament. One I'm obviously always going to take. It's just Thursday. That's about it. "I can't nit-pick," he adds. "I'll take a 62 in any major any day."

KOEPKA ON THE MOVE

Eagle, birdie and a certain Brooks Koepka has moved to -4. This definitely looks like a Koepka-type course. He's currently tied fifth heading towards his final hole. 

BEEMER!

First birdie of the day and here comes Rich Beem! No one loves the game more than Beemer, the 2002 PGA champion. 

MORIKAWA, MICKELSON, FITZPATRICK UNDERWAY

A couple of former PGA champions get their rounds underway. Collin finds the fairway, but Phil and former US Open champion, Matt, head into the rough. This should be an exciting group to watch. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau pitches in for eagle on the par-5 7th to get to -2 with two holes to play. Theegala is also on a nice run making back-to-back birdies to get to -5. A Major Championship certainly doesn't look beyond this man - love his temperament.    

SHOT GONE FOR MICKELSON

Not the start 'Lefty' would have wanted, as his par putt slips by at the 1st. Fitzpatrick does manage to tidy things up and make his par. Another strong group is behind this lot, in the form of Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm and Cam Young. No fireworks from the first two, but Young plays a nice one in over the flag. Meanwhile, Theegala makes birdie to get it to -6, three back of record-breaking Schauffele. 

CLARK, HARMAN, SCHEFFLER AWAY

More big guns get underway. Clark appears to have headed into the jungle. The Open champ, after a few twitches, finds the fairway. Finally a chap called Scottie Scheffler pumps one down the fairway. I wonder what he's thinking.... is it, 'When will I get another good night's sleep (congratulations of becoming a dad by the way) - or is it, 'Nine under should be no problem?'  

YOUNG WITH PERFECT START

It's incredible to think that Cam Young is still yet to record a win on the PGA Tour - he's some player. He makes the perfect start at the 1st, rolling his birdie effort into the center of the cup. 

THE WATER WEDGE

How to escape water, by Cam Smith. As I said earlier, don't try this at home - maybe just take a drop. 

BRYSON'S EAGLE 

This wasn't bad, either. Bryson starts his PGA with a 68. 

OH. MY. WORD.

Scottie Scheffler holes out from the fairway on the 1st for eagle. One bounce and in. Is there nothing this man can't do? He's played two shots and he's already in the top-20. 

WHAT A START!!

This man's distance control is in a different league. If anyone was wondering where the World No.1's head would be at after recently becoming a father - would he be thinking about diapers and dummies? - there's your answer. The Masters champ dunks one for eagle at the very first hole. Incredible scenes.  

MORE ON THAT SCHEFFLER EAGLE...

As the commentators are so rightly pointing out, that approach was downwind with the pin at the front. The 1st hole is one of the toughest on the golf course. 

RAHM BOGEY ON 2

Two holes played and the Spaniard is 10 shots back. I realise this might not be much of an insightful comment, but I can't help but feel moving to LIV has rather put the brakes on his career. LIV Golf fans might shoot me down, but that's just my opinion that I know many of you will care for. 

MISTAKE FROM SCHEFFLER

In the bunker at the par-3 3rd. Might as well put him down for a 2. 

MCILROY: "HAPPY WITH THE SCORE"

"Not really happy with how I played but at least happy with the score." That's really quite positive. The Northern Irishman didn't drive the ball that well today, so he'll be hoping he can kick on from the good position he's managed to force himself into. 

MORE FROM RORY...

He's clearly not going to elaborate on what's going on in his personal life. We know that he's filed for divorce from his wife, Erica. He's asked whether it's nice to be inside the ropes and able to concentrate on his golf. "It's always nice to be inside the ropes," he replies. Asked whether he's able to compartmentalize, it's just a four-word response: "Happy to be here," he says.  

POSITION A FOR SCHEFFLER 

Back out on the course, and it's all looking straightforward for the World No.1. After tidying up for par on 3, he's in the middle of the fairway with about 70 yards to go at the short par-4 4th. Meanwhile, Rahm is +2 through four holes. Winless on LIV so far, we're hearing how he's struggling to get to grips with the shorter 54-hole format where players are pretty much required to put their foot on the gas and keep it there. 

Not sure why that should be so much of a hard adjustment for a player of his class. Clearly the victories will come, but he's not looking comfortable back in Major action. There's a long way to go, of course, and I seem to remember the Spaniard winning a Green Jacket after starting the tournament with a bogey. I was at that one and I remember he was rather good. It does, though, feel like we're seeing a different player right now - one who's not quite at his best. He won't be liking Scottie Scheffler getting all the attention, either.

SPELING EROR ALERT

I don't want to criticize this young fan but he's spelt Collin wrong here. In more serious matters, Scheffler is -3 through 4. Rolls a mid range putt. They're like uphill three-footers, those. 

IT'S TIGER LIKE 

I'm going to call it early. Scheffler will match Xander's 62 today. I've not seen a player so in control of their game since Tiger Woods. I'm not comparing Woods' career to Scheffler's - they're world's apart right now. However, from tee to green it's Tiger-like; he's making everything look so easy, just like the 15-time Major winner did in his pomp. 

We've seen others go on a run - Thomas, Koepka, Spieth, McIlroy - to name a few. But I can't think of anyone who looks like they'll shoot a round in the mid 60s round after round, week after week, since Woods. 

ELSEWHERE...

Right, enough about Schauffele and Scheffler. Updates: Fowler is +1 and has just dropped one after getting back to even. He'd recovered well after a double. Rahm, meanwhile, smashes a par putt past and slips to +3 through five. Three fives on the card already. I'm fully expecting the Spaniard to announce that he's leaving LIV and returning to the PGA Tour by the end of the day. 

Back to the World No.1 and he's found the bunker at the long par-4 5th. A 7-iron there and a rare wide. With his bunker game, he'll no doubt give the hole a scare. Clark, on the same hole, plays a beauty in there. 

KOEPKA: "I'M NOT A PATIENT PERSON"

It's always interesting listening to Brooks Koepka. Asked whether he's had to learn to be a patient player, he responds: "Oh, God no. I'm not a patient person. Yeah, I think it started maybe back in 2014 just when I was trying to study guys. I studied DJ, G-Mac. Those guys were big influences on me and the way I approach it."

RAHM ALL OVER THE SHOP 

This is not the Rahm we're used to seeing - or were used to seeing. He's in some really thick stuff. Can't wait to see how to gets this one out, that's if he can find it. By the way, Scheffler dropped a shot at the 5th - unbelievable. He's human. 

RAHM GOING BACKWARDS... FAST

I'm not picking on Rahm, I wouldn't poke the bear, but he's really out of sorts right now. He's +4 through 6. The commentators are saying that he'll be trying to think of a number right now to get out of here with and go again. I can relate to that. I've frequently found myself with five points through seven holes and set myself the target of 20. It's a great feeling when you avoid registering a Stableford score in the teens. 

Whoops!

When the rota for this blog was drawn up, for us to accept or amend, I blithely accepted. I am a Leeds fan and only later did I realise that this shift clashes with the second half of the Leeds United versus Norwich semi-final play off game. (For those not familiar with English sports teams, Leeds United is an Association Football Club which last season got relegated from the Premier League, and this season is aiming to get promoted back into it, via the play off route now.)

Fortunately Leeds are 3-0 up at half-time, so I can concentrate on the golf... well until the first advert break anyway.

Two of the competitors at the PGA Championship are minority owners of Leeds United - Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. They are part of the San Francisco 49s Enterprises investment group that took full ownership of Leeds United last summer. If Leeds get promoted, the golfers’ investment will be worth a heck of a lot more than it is now.

Billy Foster, who is the caddying for Sheffield golfer Matt Fitzpatrick here, is a Leeds fan. So, too, is Colin Montgomerie. I interviewed him once and he said his favourite Leeds player of all-time is Eddie Gray, of of whom his first manager at Leeds, the great Don Revie said: “When Eddie plays on snow he doesn't leave footprints.”

But anyway back to the golf...

Gooch grouch

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The PGA of America, which runs the tournament has used the special exemption category to include some LIV Golfers in the field who would not otherwise have qualified. One of these is Talor Gooch, who won the LIV Golf League last year. This could be Gooch’s sole Major appearance of 2024 as he has said he will not enter qualifying for the US Open or The Open.

Gooch had reacted badly to not being invited to play in the Masters where 13 of the 89-strong field were LIV Golfers. This meant that a quarter of the LIV league got invites – a fairly substantial proportion when you consider how small the Masters field is.

Gooch said at the time: “If Rory McIlroy goes and completes his Grand Slam without some of the best players in the world, there’s just going to be an asterisk. It’s just the reality.” For ‘best players in the world’ most people read that as Gooch mainly referring to himself. 

However Gooch last season, when he conquering all in LIV Golf, played in three Majors, failing to make the cut in two of them and finishing tied 34th at The Masters. He has never come higher than tied 14th in any Major. Indeed he has only finished within the top 30 twice in his 11 Major appearances.

Gooch has played his front nine with one bogey and eight pars and is tied 87th.

"It's the soft conditions"

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Luke Donald, who played earlier and shot a one-under par 70 is now in the commentary booth. Asked what is behind the low scoring, he replied: "It's the soft conditions. Even with a 3-, 4-irons today I was getting the ball to stop within a yard or so. The guys today are so good at knowing how far their irons travel and there is no doubt in their minds that when the ball hits the green it is going to stick there." 

Fifty seven of the field are currently under par and a further 28 are level par, 

Jordan Spieth

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Victory here would give the Leeds United minority owner a career Grand Slam of all four Majors, something only achieved by Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. The Wanamaker Trophy would complete the set for the 30-year old Texan after his victories at The Masters and US Open in 2015 and The Open in 2017.

He has opened with a two-under 69 and currently lies T16. But history suggests this might not be enough, as I’ll explain in half a tick.

What sort of score does the eventual winner get in round one?

History shows that 33 of the last 34 PGA Championship winners have been within six shots of the lead after round 1. On that basis, Xander Schauffele’s 62 has set the bar at no more than 68 in the opening round, that is finishing the day at -3 or better.

Leeds have won 4-0 

So the next advert break can be used for what nature intended them for – nipping to the kitchen to put the kettle on.

Eagle-eyed

Scottie Schefller's eagle on his first hole is going to grab all the attention. But, because I am kind -hearted, I would like to give a shout out to the others who have made eagles today: Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Adam Hadwin, Matt Fitzpatrick and Francesco Molinari. 

Well someone’s already called it

But what happened the other time Xander Schauffele shot 62 in a Major?

It was in the US Open last year. After his 62 in the first round he followed it up with 70-73-72 and finished tied in 10th.

Not being a case of beam me up Scottie

(Image credit: Getty Images)

With the form his is in, and having made an eagle on his first hole, you wouldn’t have backed against the World No. 1 hunting down Schauffele’s 62. Indeed Westers earlier in this blog even forecast that he would. Scheffler on the rest of his outward nine has made two birdies, a bogey and five pars. 

Still, a score of three-under after nine holes is far from bad. It’s just that Schauffele’s nine-under-par round has rather skewed the comparisons. Scheffler is tied in 10th at the turn.

Rahm not doing LIV proud at the moment

(Image credit: Getty Images)

I was amazed that Jon Rahm defected to LIV Golf, not that I know the feller at all. It was just that it was hard to see what was in it for him. ‘Money, obviously’ you may be screaming at your screen. LIV Golf paid him a sum which varies according to who you hear it from, but somewhere in region of $450m to $600m.

A huge amount, yes, but what is he going to do with all that money? He was not exactly on the poverty line before LIV came along and he was going to earn oodles more money, from prize money and endorsements and all the rest of it on the path he was already on – unless he had a career-ending injury or a horrendous permanent loss of form.

Many have suggested that more Majors would have come his way. They still could. But could more perhaps have will come his way than on the new path he has opted to take?

He seems to want his cake and eat it, in some people’s eyes. He has spoken of how he still considers himself a member of the PGA Tour, although he is banned from it. He is still a member of the DP World Tour and hopes to play in the Ryder Cup – and as a member of the European Tour he would be eligible. He has, perhaps slightly oddly, spoken of his regret that LIV Golf is played over 54 holes and has advocated 72-hole events. Er, didn’t he know how LIV Golf is played before he joined?

Has he traded money for competitiveness? Traded a better chance of future Major wins and a bigger entry in golf’s history books for money? Or has he been savvy with his career – got himself a huge pot of cash and still be able go on and get Major titles and play in Ryder Cups and all the rest of it, just as he would have.

Since joining LIV he has played one Major, the Masters where he finished T45. Not a great result, but it is the smallest sample size there could be and he isn’t the first defending champion to struggle at The Masters.

So, many eyes were on how he does here. He has been very consistent in LIV Golf League – in his seven LIV events so far he never finished below 10th or above tied third, and lies second on the season’s rankings behind Joaquin Niemann.

So far Rahm's second Major as a LIV Golfer is going worse than his first. He has been hitting it all over the shop. The Spaniard has made the cut in his last 18 Major appearances and maintaining this record must be in doubt now. He is tied in 125th coming down the 12th.

Kim moving up

The upper reaches of the leaderboard had been static for quite a some time. But Tom Kim has made three birdies in the first four holes of his back nine, to move to four under.

Record set to be broken?

The most players to finish the first round under par in a PGA Championship is 62, which was at Medinah in 2006. There are currently 67 players under par today.

Did I say how badly Rahm was doing?

He has just recorded back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14. This has been an entertainingly erratic round by him.

Gooch eagles the 18th

A 312-yard drive, a 267-yard approach and 28 foot putt does the job. He is round in level par and is tied 64th.

Tom Hoge is in the clubhouse on 5 under 

Under par record watch

The most players to finish the first round under par in a PGA Championship is 62. Currently the number of players under par is... 63.

Projected cut

(Image credit: Getty Images)

I know its early days, but it's at -1 at present. I mention this now as Phil Mickelson has made 27 cuts at the PGA Championship, a joint record held with Jack Nicklaus and Ray Floyd. Mickelson is playing the 18th and is on 1 over.

66 at 21

That final hole did not go well for Mickelson

He drowned his tee shot and had to take a drop. He eventually walks off with a 7 on the par 5. 

Rahm round in under par

You'd have got long odds on that happening the way he was playing earlier. But he he has fought back with four birdies in his final six holes and enters the clubhouse tied in 43rd. That round had all sorts! 

Schauffele looks set for a three-shot round one lead

We are running out of people left on the course who can cut into that lead. Three men have had three-shot leads after the first round of the PGA Championship previously. Two of them won - Bobby Nichols in 1964 and Ray Floyd in 1982. 

The odd man out is Dick Hart, in 1963. He finished tied 17th. It was Jack Nicklaus who raised the trophy that time, for the first of his five times. He had to do so holding a towel as the metal trophy had got very hot under the Texan sun - the temperature in downtown Dallas on that day had reached 110 °F (43 °C). 

Number of golfers under par

It is currently 64. The record is 62. There are seven men of this 64 still out on the course. The record could fall. Could be a day of low scoring tomorrow, too, if the expected rain comes, which will only make the course even softer and more yielding to approach shots. 

UPDATE: 64 is the final total. Record achieved.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Can you burp in space?
Gravity plays a big role in burping, so could an astronaut burp in space?
LiveScience
LiveScience
Britney Spears’ ex-husband Sam Asghari says his new relationship is ‘not about Hollywood’
Asghari and Spears finalized their divorce in May 2024
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Meghan made one-pot pasta a trend – but is it any good? Seven all-in-one recipes tested
The duchess’s skillet spaghetti outraged purists, but there’s no shortage of single-pot pasta dishes to try. Here are some that make the grade, and others that most certainly don’t
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Kevin Hart says there's one thing still worth splurging on in this uncertain economy, regardless of income level
With consumer confidence down and market volatility up, Americans are tightening their belts right now.
Fortune
Fortune
Like many mothers, I struggled with breastfeeding. Now we know we’re not ‘failures’
A study shows the impact of feeding challenges on maternal mental health. With official help in short supply, it’s time to support each other, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Katy Perry mocked for dance moves on Lifetimes tour: ‘Shockingly bad’
The ‘Dark Horse’ singer kicked off her tour in Mexico City
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play