Scheffler and Potgieter Lead in Seven-Way Tie at PGA Championship

World number one Scottie Scheffler and former champion Martin Kaymer are among seven players sharing the first-round lead at the PGA Championship, held Thursday at Aronimink Golf Club. Aldrich Potgieter, who made an impressive debut, is also tied at the top after carding a three-under-par 67.

Early Round Highlights

Potgieter began his round on the back nine in chilly conditions, taking advantage of the sparse crowd to find his rhythm. He finished strong with two late birdies, placing him level with Scheffler, Kaymer, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune, and Alex Smalley.

Potgieter remarked on the quiet morning, stating it allowed him to settle into his game. He concluded his round with a three-foot birdie, showcasing his skill under pressure.

Former champions Xander Schauffele, Sahith Theegala, Max Greyserman, and PGA Championship rookie Daniel Brown are just one shot behind the leaders, indicating a tightly contested tournament.

Scheffler’s Resilience

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler faced a challenge during his round after a bogey at the 14th hole. However, he rebounded with a birdie at the 16th and finished with pars on the final two holes, securing his position at three-under par.

Scheffler acknowledged the competitive nature of the leaderboard, emphasizing that the tournament remains wide open with several players in contention.

Kaymer, who won the PGA Championship in 2010, narrowly missed an eagle on his final hole but managed a birdie to maintain his place among the leaders. The 41-year-old German expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to compete in major tournaments, particularly given the expiration of his US Open exemption.

Spieth’s Pursuit of a Grand Slam

Jordan Spieth, aiming to complete his career Grand Slam, started strong but faced difficulties late in his round. After holding a share of the lead, back-to-back bogeys dropped him to one-under. Spieth noted that while he didn’t finish as he had hoped, he was satisfied with his score considering the challenging conditions.

Spieth is currently two shots behind the leaders, alongside notable competitors such as Brooks Koepka, former champion Jason Day, and LIV golfers Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith.

Notable Moments on the Course

Rahm provided one of the day’s standout moments by holing out for eagle from 98 yards at the par-four second hole. This followed a similar feat by Daniel Brown, who also made an eagle from a comparable distance earlier in the round.

Cameron Smith had an adventurous day, including a bogey at the par-four 18th hole, where his tee shot landed near a TV broadcast booth. After receiving relief, he managed to return to the fairway.

Garrick Higgo, who posted a one-under 69, faced a two-stroke penalty for being late to the first tee. He acknowledged the situation, stating that it was not unexpected.

McIlroy’s Struggles

Rory McIlroy, playing in his second event since winning the Masters, encountered significant difficulties. He struggled off the tee and recorded five bogeys in a six-hole stretch, missing several makeable putts. McIlroy expressed frustration with his performance, indicating a need to reassess his game under pressure.

Bryson DeChambeau, a two-time runner-up at the PGA Championship, had a challenging start, finishing with a six-over 76. His round included a bogey at the par-four 11th, where a misplayed putt rolled 52 feet past the hole.

As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.

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Published on 2026-05-15 07:25:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk