Sporting a fresh goatee and his latest collection of Sun Day Red apparel, Tiger Woods certainly seemed ready for the first round of the US PGA Championship at Valhalla. To his regret, however, his wardrobe flair was not matched by his golfing performance. A double-bogey finish left Woods at a score of one-over-par 72, a full ten strokes behind Xander Schauffele, the leader after the first round. Having not played since the Masters the previous month, Woods’ return to the green was under par.
Schauffele, in contrast, swiftly recovered from his letdown at Quail Hollow the previous week, where despite leading for the first 54 holes, he ultimately fell short to Rory McIlroy. The Olympic gold medalist, who hasn’t yet clinched a Major title, opened the championship with an impressive nine-under-par 62, a bogey-free round that signalled a strong start. This performance earned the 30-year-old Californian another record for equalling the lowest round in any of the four Majors, a feat he shares with Branden Grace (at the 2017 Open) and Rickie Fowler (2023 US Open). Schauffele himself previously held the record low at the 2023 US Open held at Los Angeles Country Club.
While record low scores are quite an achievement, Schauffele’s primary focus remains capturing the elusive Major title. The player, who led the first round by three strokes with players Sahith Theegala and Tony Finau trailing behind, admitted that maintaining high performance over an extended period is challenging. He noted, however, a recent spike in form, stating “There are moments when the ball, the greens, the chipping – everything feels within your control. We’re close to it, if not there already.” He hinted that his current form is in line with this ideal state of play, which bodes well for the upcoming rounds.
Schauffele hasn’t seen a tour victory since his triumph at the Genesis Scottish Open in 2022, nearly two years ago, something that has been weighing on his mind. “The lack of a win inevitably fuels my desire to conquer, strange though that may sound. I find myself increasingly eager, tirelessly working towards achieving that goal,” he expressed. He began superbly with a flawless first-round score of 62, but he is acutely aware that the more challenging journey is yet to begin. “It’s just the beginning, it’s only Thursday.” he reflected.
As for Woods, he had to gradually find his rhythm due to his unfamiliarity with the scorecard at hand. He stated, “I’m certainly gaining strength. However, I don’t frequently play competitive rounds. This is my first time playing after the Masters. It’s quite different than usual rounds on the flat courses of Florida… every day brings its own challenges. Some days are better than others due to the nature of my body. Some days, I feel amazing, while others, I struggle a bit,” Woods, who is limited to a restricted schedule following surgery, explained.