Insert all your “What did you expect for upstate New York?!?” jokes here. Yes, it gets cold in May in Rochester, N.Y., and so a frost delay to kick off the 105th PGA Championship—and push back the start by nearly two hours—was predictable (literally). But when things finally got started at 8:50 a.m., temperatures hovering at not too crazy 40 degrees with highs expected to get into the 60s, the chill did little to dampen the mood as the second men’s major got under way at Oak Hill Country Club.
Indeed, a quiet week of sorts compared to the build up for the Masters a month ago, doesn’t mean this week’s championship will produce any less drama. Can Jon Rahm follow up his Augusta win by grabbing the second leg of the Grand Slam? Can Rory McIlroy bounce back from his Augusta disappointment? Is Jordan Spieth’s left wrist good enough to give him a realistic chance at winning and capping the career Grand Slam? What about the LIV boys—Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson all deserving attention in their own unique ways? Oh, and did we mention the defending champion, Justin Thomas?
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Indeed there’s a lot to be on the lookout for the next four days, and plenty of ways to watch it all. Even better, you can follow it all here with us as we help guide through what we hope will be another exciting—if slightly chilly—week to remember.
9:06 a.m.—So what does the delay mean for watching this mornings action—specifically if you were looking for a few marquee pairings. Well here’s when some of the more popular pairings are now starting their morning rounds:
8 a.m./9:50 a.m. — Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Gary Woodland
8:11 a.m./10:01 a.m. — Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa
8:22 a.m./10:12 a.m. — Shane Lowry, Jordan Spieth, Viktor Hovland
8:33 a.m./10:23 a.m. — Matthew Fitzpatrick, Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm
8:55 a.m.—The first threesome of Shaun Micheel, Braden Shattuck and Steven Alker, approximate one hour and 50 minutes after their orignially scheduled 7 a.m. tee time. Indeed, the morning began ominously with the following series of messages from the PGA of America.
Finally, though, room for optimism. And given the extended light in Western New York, there is hope that the first round might still be finished before nightfall on Thursday evening.
9:21 a.m.— We’ve finally got some movement. The frost is gone and players are on the course. The rough is looking juicy. It’s clear the fairway is where players want and need to be this week.
As for who notched the first birdie of the tournament? That honor goes to Kazuki Higa, who knocked in a medium-length putt on the 248 yard par-3 11th hole. He followed with another birdie on the 12th hole to jump into the (very) early lead at two-under.