Scottie Scheffler started strong in his defense of the Wanamaker Trophy.
The defending champion of The PGA Championship, and the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer, carded a three-under 67 in Thursday’s opening round of golf’s second major championship. Scheffler bogeyed No. 4, but rallied with birdies on 6, 7, 10, and 11. He gave a stroke back with a bogey on No. 14 and got it back with a birdie on 16 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
Scheffler has plenty of company atop the leaderboard as six other golfers are tied with him at 3-under par. That group includes Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune, Martin Kaymer, and Alex Smalley.
2024 PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele finds himself in contention after the opening round. Schauffele shot a 2-under 68 and is in group tied at 8th that includes Sahith Theegala, Max Greyserman, Corey Conner, Patrick Reed, and Shane Lowry.
Other notable golfers, who are also major champions, who shot 1-under par on Thursday include Jason Day, Cameron Smith, Brooks Kopeka, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, and Justin Thomas. Former McNeese star Robert MacIntyre meanwhile, shot even par on Thursday.
Rory McIlroy, who won his second consecutive Masters this year, struggled on Thursday, carding a 4-over 74. He wasn’t the only big name that had issues, as Padraig Harrington, Billy Horschel, Viktor Hovland, and Keegan Bradley all shot 4-over as well.