Today's PGA Championship first round saw Jhonattan Vegas shoot a career-best 64 to lead, while a controversial 'mud ball' situation frustrated players and several top stars struggled.
VEGAS'S VINTAGE ROUND
- Lead bullet – 40-year-old Jhonattan Vegas fired a career-best major round of 7-under 64 to take a surprising two-shot lead at the PGA Championship, calling his performance "Incredible."
- Secondary bullet – Rookie Ryan Gerard (66), hearing "so many Go Heels today," and Cam Davis (66), crediting "good preparation," sit T2.
- Tertiary bullet – Alternate Alex Smalley (67) also impressed, having "prepared just like I could any other tournament."
MUDDY WATERS & PLAYER FRUSTRATION
- Lead bullet – The PGA of America's decision against preferred lies despite rain sparked a "mud ball" controversy, with their "outstanding" playing surfaces statement clashing sharply with widespread player discontent.
- Secondary bullet – Scottie Scheffler (69) found it "frustrating," while Xander Schauffele (72) termed a 16th-hole incident "ridiculous" and "kind of stupid," predicting mud balls would "get worse."
- Tertiary bullet – While Tommy Fleetwood (70) was accepting ("it's up to you to figure out how to control your ball"), Jon Rahm (70) was surprised by the no-lift-clean-and-place rule.
BIG GUNS FALTER, LIV WATCH
- Lead bullet – Several pre-tournament favorites stumbled, including Rory McIlroy (74) battling accuracy (hitting only 4 fairways), and Jordan Spieth (76) whose Grand Slam quest took a significant hit.
- Secondary bullet – Spieth's struggle was poignant given his past desire to win this major ("if I could only win one tournament... I'd pick this one"); other notables struggling included Thomas (73), Koepka (75), DJ (78), and Mickelson (79).
- Tertiary bullet – LIV Golfers saw mixed fortunes; Paul McGinley's pre-tournament critique about their major performances ("Bar Brooks and Bryson the rest have not turned up seriously") gained traction as many faltered.
Quick Hits
A • Hatton's hot mic ("worst blinking...") • Scott (69) starts strong on "brutal" Quail finish • McIlroy's 4 fairways & "misalignment" talk
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