(Pittsford) Eric Cole surprised by going to the top of the table at the PGA Championship, where the first round was halted by nightfall.
Rookie on the PGA Tour at 34, he leads by one shot (-5), with four holes to play. Cole had six birdies, including three in a row on his back nine.
Thirty players did not have time to finish their first round; action will resume at 7 a.m. this Friday.
The round started two hours later than scheduled, the result of ground freezing the previous night.
On the other hand, the weather was pleasant in the afternoon, with very little wind.
The roller coaster according to DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau managed an unclear Oak Hill course well and played 66 (-4) to temporarily take control.
DeChambeau knew how to keep the ball in play and when he found himself in the long grass, he got out of trouble quite well.
“It was a great day of golf,” said DeChambeau. It is a prestigious place and a very demanding terrain. Par seemed out of reach on some holes. I was lucky to do very well. »
PHOTO SETH WENIG, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau hasn’t really been among golf’s elite in the last 12 months.
Injured in the hip early last year, after the Masters Tournament, he had surgery on his left wrist. Then he joined the LIV Golf circuit.
He finished fifth in Oklahoma last week, his only top 10 in six competitions in 2023.
It made me experience a lot of highs, but also big emotional lows. It was a lesson in humility. When you think you’re on top, golf and life can get you down to earth pretty quick.
Bryson DeChambeau
At 17e, his exit from the long grass collided with club pro Kenny Pigman. The latter did not take offense, shaking hands with a DeChambeau who offered him his apologies.
DeChambeau has already enjoyed a streak of eight wins in three years, including a triumph at the U.S. Open in 2020.
Avoid the traps
Dustin Johnson brought back a card of 67 (- 3), as did Scottie Scheffler and Canadian Corey Conners.
Johnson has just won a LIV tournament in Oklahoma.
Scheffler avoided all bogey for the first time in 51 rounds at major tournaments.
PHOTO AARON DOSTER, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Scottie Scheffler
On the fifth hole, Scheffler managed to score par after lodging his ball in a bunker.
I had to roll up my sleeves. It’s very satisfying to have avoided the bogeys.
Scottie Scheffler
A big winner at Augusta in 2022, Scheffler has six wins in the past 15 months, having done no worse than a 12e spot this year.
Conners is the best placed among six Canadians, having obtained six birdies.
Rory McIlroy shot 71 (+1), three shots over par at the halfway mark. He had three birdies in the second half.
Defending champion Justin Thomas is in the group at 72 (+2).
Bored on the left wrist and inefficient on the greens, Jordan Spieth was left with a 73 (+ 3). This tournament is the only one of the four major events that he has not yet won.
Conners’ compatriots are Adam Hadwin (-1 after 13 holes), Adam Svensson (70), Taylor Pendrith (70), Nick Taylor (71) and Mackenzie Hughes (74).
Winner of the Masters Tournament in April, Jon Rahm got into all sorts of trouble, scoring five bogeys in six holes.
He went 76 (+6), his worst score in a major opening round since 2018, at the U.S. Open.