Most birdies on Thursday at the PGA Championship?
That would be eight by Danny Lee, closest player to first-round leader Brooks Koepka.
Lee, a former U.S. Amateur champion, knew he needed more distance off the tee to compete in the majors.
“I wasn’t hitting it far enough to compete out here at the major championships, PGA Championship or U.S. Open,” Lee said. “But now I’m definitely hitting it further. This was actually the first time I actually got to play in a major with this distance. I’m actually interested in myself what I can do out there this week.”
Lee explained that his improved performance off the tee is the result of an intensified training program and his work with swing coach George Gankas.
“Just trying to turn more in the backswing and use the ground force a little bit more,” Lee continued. “I’ve always been trying to make my swing on the perfect plane every time, and he definitely broke that mindset of mine. Your club doesn’t have to be traveling on your perfect path every time to hit the ball in the fairway, and that was a huge learning progress for me.”
That distance translated into birdie opportunities on Thursday at Bethpage Black and he would finish with a six-under par 64, just a shot behind first round leader Brooks Koepka.
World’s No. 1 Shoots 69:
Dustin Johnson hit 15 greens in his first round but didn’t get much out of it. At the end of his day, he turned in a one-under par 69.
“Yeah, I’m very pleased with it,” Johnson said. “I felt like I hit it really well, drove it good and hit a lot of greens, gave myself a lot of opportunities. I felt like I hit a lot of good putts that a few of them could have gone in that didn’t, but I’m very happy with the way I played and the opportunities I gave myself.”
One Birdie For Rory:
Rory McIlroy, one of the pre-tournament favorites, found himself shut-out through 17 holes. Finally, at the 18th, McIlroy hit his short approach to three-feet and made his only birdie of the day. He finished with a two-over par 72.
Once again, it was McIlroy’s putter that didn’t cooperate. “Yeah, it was either wrong speed at some times or sometimes just a little bit of line, either way, you know, high or low. And just keep it hitting good putts. That’s all you can do,” Rory said. “I guess it’s early in the tournament. Keep hitting good shots. Don’t let it frustrate you. Keep hitting good putts. Eventually things will turn. Hopefully that birdie on the last was the turning point, finish on a positive note and come back tomorrow and hopefully get into red figures for the tournament.”
Mickelson Gets New York Support:
Phil Mickelson continued to be a fan favorite in New York. His gallery was vocal and Mickelson responded with a one-under par 69. It was a popular number for a lot of big names — Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day joined Phil at one-under. World’s No. 2 Justin Rose shot even par 70 as did Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau.
John Daly On His Way To MC:
Resplendent in his convertible golf cart, John Daly shot a five-over par round of 75, tied for 112th. Looks like JD will make an early exit from the 101st PGA. Bethpage Black threw a shutout at Daly. He had zero birdies.
