The 93rd USPGA Championship saw Steve Stricker fire a superb opening round 63 to lead from compatriots Jerry Kelly and former champion Shaun Micheel.
A missed birdie chance at the closing hole was all that separated the 44 year old from an 8-under-par total in Atlanta which would have seen him record the low round in major championship history.
Stricker, the highest ranked American in the world, is still seeking a first major and in the process aiming to put an end to the US major drought, which currently stands at 6.
From Stricker to stricken, US Open champion McIlroy injured his wrist on the 3rd yet showed remarkable courage to battle to a very competitive level par total of 70. Should he get the all-clear following an MRI scan, the Northern Irishman is very much in contention.
As for Tiger Woods, it was a day to forget for the former world number one. A 77 represented his worst ever start to a major, and this comes on the back of Adam Scott's stunning victory at Firestone, with Wood's former bagman Stevie Williams instrumental in the Australian's success.
If Woods has any hope of being around for the weekend then he'll need to uncork his 2000 vintage. Anything less will see him slide outside the world's top 30.
Other players still in contention after Thursday include the afore-mentioned Scott (-1) and the world's top two players, Englishmen Luke Donald and Lee Westwood at level and +1 respectively.
Performance of the day was undoubtedly Stricker's but look out for young Matteo Manassero, the Italian prodigy produced a flawless 68 and at age 18 is definitely a future winner of this tournament.
We'll be back tomorrow to assess potential winners going into the weekend...
Patrick Kendrick
No comments:
Post a Comment