Xander Schauffele on fire in first round of PGA Championship

Between the roars of the crowd at each shot of Tiger Woods or the cheers offered to Rory McIlroy just before his departure, without making too much noise, and before the entry on the track of the favorite Scottie Scheffler in the afternoon, Xander Schauffele went into world number one mode.

Well helped by a course and greens made more flexible thanks to the precipitation of the last few days, the world number 3 did not miss much. Thanks to a sharp little game and a putter on fire, the American was able to save his pars at the right time like at 12, his 3rd hole where he hits a good 4 m, or even at 1, his 10th hole, with a delicious bunker/putt exit.

A putter also warms up to sink birdies, nine in the bag in total for zero bogeys. With a card of 62, Schauffele equals the best score in history in a Major round. A mark that the seven-time winner on the PGA Tour had already reached last year during the US Open, already in the first round.

“ It's a good start to a big tournament, he rejoices. I'm in one of those moments where you feel like you control the ball very well, you see the greens perfectly, you chip very well, etc. Now, it’s very complicated to maintain this level of performance. It's only the first day of the tournament. »

At -9 total, Schauffele beats the course record established by José Maria Olazabal in 2000 and takes control of the tournament. At midday, he was ahead of Tony Finau by three strokes.

Rory in the game

Behind, expectations were high for Rory McIlroy. Unable to lift a Major trophy since 2014 and his victory at the US PGA, right here in Valhalla, the world number 2 responded. Following on from his triumph at Wells Fargo, the Northern Irishman fought well and also showed that his game was there. Less precise driver in hand than Schauffele (only 7 fairways hit out of 14), Rory brought the crowds to their feet at Valhalla like with this chip in at 6 for birdie or his iron shot to the flag at 10, his first hole.

“ Everything wasn't perfect today and I dropped a few shots. I didn't play my best golf but I fought, he analyzes. I had some good runs like my chip in at 6. Even if I'm not satisfied with my game, I'm happy with the score. » After a first round completed in 66 (-5), McIlroy is 3rd, four shots behind the leader.

As always, every movement of Tiger Woods was scrutinized and analyzed carefully. And if the sound of the Tiger's ball doesn't make the same noise as the other players, neither do the crowd's reactions to the 15-time Major winner. All of Tiger's shots unleash spectators always waiting for magic.

On a Valhalla course, hilly and generous in rough, we waited to see how the former world number one would behave. No catastrophic blows for the Tiger but no madness either. We felt Woods was patient but the game didn't go the right way. Like at 5, where after finding the fairway and the green, his birdie putt hits the hole but refuses to fall.

“ I feel better but since the Masters, I haven't played many rounds in competition, he reacted. It probably took me three holes to get back into the rhythm, the adrenaline, the speed of the greens. But these are things that I adapt to very quickly. We can't win if we don't make the cut. So for me, the idea is already to arrive at the weekend to give myself a chance. » With his card of 72 (+1), Woods is 60th.

Starting in the morning draw, Victor Perez had a complicated ride. With a card of 79 (+8), the Frenchman is at the bottom of the rankings.