LIVE | Round 1 | 2025 PGA Championship

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Contested each May, the PGA Championship is the second major championship in golf’s annual rotation, and perennially features the strongest field in the men’s game based on the Official World Golf Rankings. Known for dramatic finishes and notable champions, the Wanamaker Trophy—which has been awarded to the winner since 1916—is inscribed with names such as Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player.

The 2025 PGA Championship is set to take place between 8-11 May at Quail Hollow Club. The reigning champion is Xander Schauffele.

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shot because it’s easy to get lazy just to hit the green. You have to push yourself to get to the quadrant of that green. You’ve been playing this golf course for a long time. What it’s been like to see the evolution of it, Curtis. Well, everything’s improved, hasn’t it? Since 03 and then I was actually played a little bit a couple years back in the 70s here. Um, everything’s improved. grasses. This golf course has gone through a lot of change over the years. Quite a job. Quite a job making this event, this venue, a big time, big time venue. You saw the Hoygore bid for birdie there. Now Sheffller. Not too much in this putt. Extremely makeable. Just slammed it through the right edge. Sometimes you get so comfortable you want to try to make it. instead of letting it happen. And so that’s where that trio stands. It’s been eventful and we see four unders currently setting the pace and we say hello to you at home alongside Curtis Strange. I’m Scott Vampel and Curtis. It’s we start early on ESPN Plus and you watch the morning wave and you got to remind ourselves there’s an entire afternoon of some of the very best in the world that are going to get their swings at it. as you’ve been watching throughout the morning in terms of what stands out that you’re seeing with the golf course, where do you start? Well, I think everybody knew what was going to face them this morning. It was going to be soft fairways again, maybe a couple of mud balls. Uh but with that comes softer greens. Now, these greens with the subair have have been firm every afternoon after all the rain. It’s been amazing and they’ve kept their speed. Like we said earlier, if this sun continues to bake out these greens, soft conditions, hard, fast greens, it’s really a tough combination. It is because it’s walking the golf course. The description that that that I heard was it was a bit like a sponge if you spill something that before you ring it out. When you’d step, it wasn’t just that your foot would squish, it was splashing. And yet, even then, those greens maintain some firmness. So to your point, if this sun keeps baking the way they say it will throughout the remainder of the week, these greens could present an amazing challenge, couldn’t they? Yeah, and I think the fairways as well the first couple days as they keep their moisture, you’re really going to have to be a good small striker. You really have to compress this golf ball, lean the shaft forward to catch the ball first because it’s still soft. And once you get the greens, we just made the point that the greens are so big, you really have to focus on small targets up there because you can hit a lot of greens here and be 30 and 40 ft all day long and never make a birdie. So you have to force it into the quadrant of the green sometimes when you really don’t want to. There are currently 22 red numbers on the board and fours. There are now five of those on four under par. You see that this at 7626 is the fourth longest layout in PGA championship history. Water is in play on six different holes, most notably on that finishing stretch. 16, 17, and 18 fairly legendary. There are some mammoth par fours, eight at more than 450. Several start with a five. I know that that’s not that’s not new out here, but boy, there’s some that 520s, 530s. The most difficult holes through the years here at Quail Hollow. Additionally, the first and the last and course record here 61 by Rory Mroy. And again, Keith Wood deserves a whole lot of credit. The architect, George Cobb, Tom Fazio got involved and had a number of different tweaks. Again, Johnny Harris I made the point on ESPN Plus. Give the give him a ton of credit. This is a guy that that that seeks seeks counsel from these players is interested. What could be better? Augusta National, same idea there. What could be better? How do we make it better? always seeking some uh feedback on what they can do to improve things. And the finishing stretch 16, 17, and 18, when you earn a name, right, when you earn a a stretch around tour, then people go, “Oh, the bear trap, the horrible horseshoe at Colonial.” Wherever the case may be, the green mile as it’s described here. You’ve got a challenge and 16 is enormous today. I haven’t been a birdie made all day. We’re going to introduce the whole announcers in just a bit. Matt Barry has been has been documenting it very well. 16. It’s not just that you can’t make birdie. It’s just that close the average proximity to the hole is about 60 ft. Well, that’s my point, too, is that you’re playing away from the hole if it’s on the left side. If it’s on the right side, you’re you it’s just such a big green. 17 is a is an awkward green for such a long shot. And of course, 18 is intimidating from start to finish. All right. you’ve seen and hopefully this morning on ESPN Plus heard all of our whole announcers and it’s a pleasure to be with everyone as we take you through the afternoon here on ESPN Plus here on five Shley on the team. Yeah, these players all three are long enough to carry the right bunker. Rough, not real tall, almost three inches, but very very thick overseated with ry grass and then the moisture make it even more so. Considering the strength that this club is in Royy’s bag, it’s just odd, Curtis, to see him struggle with it. He did last week in Philadelphia, and it continues to be a bit of a challenge today. Well, when you’re a big swinger and a big hitter, your timing, rhythm has to be spot on. That’s been the miss. And that’s left of the bunkers. There’s three bunkers out there that kind of guard the fairway, but that’s left of them. Meanwhile, up on the fifth gear, uh, green pretty flat from this portion, a little bit from left to right. Tell you what I’ve seen this morning is a lot of players coming up short from downhill protecting from the speed. Rasbusard runs out of gas on the TE. It’s Scotty. T-shot just screams for a little tiny fade just like that. Maybe too much as I said a trio of bunkers. Dog leg to the right to six. Matt Fitzpatrick just a couple shots off the lead and we’ve seen him some really brilliant chips with that unique style. All right, only one birdie all day at the 17th. This is the birthday boy, the club pro John Summers from outside 60 ft, turns 34 and he makes a birdie at 17. One of the most famous par threes anywhere. Happy birthday. 18 European Rder Cup captain Luke Donald trying to get up and down for a round of 67. And this is his strength. Below average length off the tee. Good to see him playing well, but it doesn’t mean a shorter hitter can’t play well, but they have to be so precise. Back to five here. And Scotty from that bunker. It’s pretty good play. That was lacking a yard. Scott going to be needing that one again from bunker to bunker. the 16. Scott, good afternoon. Great chronicle of the 16th and the difficulty of it. Still yet a birdie on this hole. The average proximity on the approach 56 ft. No one inside 12. Other than that, still brutal to the 15. At the second, Steven Joerger. Pretty good life. The short cut. Second shot up the hill. Oh, that’s excellent. That’s a big hit. Folks that watch week to week on the tour, there are names that you’ve seen here on first round leaderboards a lot. Joerger, Hoygard, play very well from the start and they’re doing so yet again. Rory from the bunker. Kind of in between clubs. 153 yards. Billy doesn’t look like the best of lies either. It’s sitting down a little bit, Curtis. And and this is an eight iron. He’s he’s going to come in pretty steeply on this one. See, that’s the beauty of Rory Murray. He doesn’t seem to allow poor T- shots or poor shots to affect him like it might others. Always has that great shot to recover. Now Sander much closer trying to take it over the tree. Boy, that solid contact. Had 122 the hole. Had play left. That’s a really good shot from the position he was in. that have been watching on plus this morning. That’s kind of a microcosm of the day. Just a little bit off. Not the sharpest for that trio. Smallley on nine. 531 par 4 after Eagle in the seven and Birdie eight. He got in when fortunately sad the gala forced to withdraw and Smalli making the most of the opportunity. Only two bogey-free rounds on the golf course at the moment are the two RDER Cup captains. That to finish it off. Go ahead, Luke. 47year-old former world number one hasn’t made a cut in any event he’s played. Only played four. Right. That’s what I mean. Look, his focus is on his captaincy with the European side. Did a pretty good job two years ago as well to 11. Ryan Gerard and he pours one in. Maybe the hole we’re seeing the most long putts made the 11th. Seen a lot of long birdie putts at 11. That’s backto-back birdies for Ryan. Now co-leader still Alex Noran coming off Bogey. This is for Parr and just slides by. 16 17 18 taking a toll again. That’ll be a bogey for Norin. Back to five. You see the distinct pattern here of the bunkers raked at the bottoms. Scotty trying to get up and down. It’s pretty well played from there, I’d say. So bunkers aren’t real tough here this week. They’re not very deep. There’s a few of them that are five or six feet deep, but all pretty manageable for these skilled players. Nice to see an old school golf course, treelined every hole, framed with great oaks, pines. The trend of the moment is to come in with the chainsaw. Yes, sir. I don’t know when the tree became the enemy, but well, the enemy is the shade and inability to grow grass under them, but they certainly had plenty of that here this week. Understand that. I just feel like there’s some golf courses where they they seem to have grass for a long time and trees were taken down. That’s I couldn’t agree more. Neither here nor there. Well, it is. It’s important here because it’s not only framed with bunkers and big greens, but the trees make a lot of these holes as well. Your point. I agree. Yes, you we agree. Just don’t want to belabor the point when talking about a golf course that isn’t this one. Sander, for a long distance birdie, keep waiting for that one to go in and jump start the momentum. It’s been difficult to find for this. Now, this is not an easy putt either. I mean, this is one you have to be careful of. You get it going with any speed past the hole, you can drift away five or six feet. And there again, Curtis, you you just kind of see it. These guys very defensive. I think they know the way it’s played in the past is just not quite fiery because of all the rain. By the way, I like the trees, especially as hot as it is. Especially when you’re out walking golf courses to 17. He satsune for birdie. Oh, now they’re just going in at 17. The lid’s been lifted. And you get a birdie. You get a birdie. It’s his fourth on this side. Pretty impressive. by Jagger for Eagle and the lead. Down the hill very fast right at the hole. Easy. At least he’ll be able to go up the hill with it to try to make Birdie to take the lead on his own. never finished better than 50th in the PGA Championship, but again has been playing so much quality golf. Back to Mroy and the birdie putt that burns an edge. He’s had a couple of good putts that crease the edge. I think he’s I think he’s really done a good job, Curtis, of you know, just kind of cobbling this round together. I mean, he hadn’t had his best stuff by any means. And u he could get it to the house even par that would that would be some good work. That’s what the great players do, Billy. They don’t hit it in the fairway all the time. They don’t hit all the greens, but they they have the ability to score when they’re not at their best. He certainly showed that the last round at Augusta. Hung in there really tough and came through at the end. shuffle for a hardworking four. These are the putts for Scotty that can get away from him every once in a while. This one’s straight up the hill moving to his left. Good hold there and he remains even parked. One, two, and three in the world in grind mode today. I mean, it’s almost like once we pass the 10th hole, the opening hole, I mean, it has been grind. Billy, have you sensed any that the players are playing each other too much? As you know, we always heard about Jack and Arie playing together. Are they playing their own games? I think they’re playing their own games. I think uh they came in here with uh kind of feeling like all they needed to do was have a little maintenance and and today they’re just having to do a lot of work and go forward with it. That’s a case of point right there, Billy. That’s much harder par putt than Xander would have been expecting given that first one. But absolutely, you guys both called it in advance. A bit bit defensive with that first birdie putt and that’s a par for Xander. All right, Smallley now for birdie on nine. Up a pretty good slope. And as you can see from right to left, only one birdie all day. Given again that it’s over 530 yards, you understand why. Slightly uphill. All right, Joerger for the lead. The 35year-old lives in Chattanooga these days playing a ton of good golf, particularly early in events. And there he is again a top the leaderboard here. Boy, Charlotte’s been looking forward to hosting the very best in the world. And that’s what you get when the PGA Championship comes to town. 99 of the top 100 in the world are here. And currently Jerger setting the pace as you see all those who are under par. Rounds are starting to wrap up and some great players coming this afternoon. ESPN’s coverage of the 2025 PGA Championship is brought to you by the PGA of America and our more than 30,000 PGA of America golf professionals. We love this game. Settle in, enjoy the afternoon here on ESPN. [Music] to the 107th PGA Championship. Welcome to the 107th PGA Championship. For more than a century, the best in the game have competed for a chance to etch their names on the Water Maker Trophy and into history. This week, the strongest field in golf will take on famed Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina for their chance at major championship immortality. The PG of America is especially proud of the Corbridgeidge Financial Team, our 20 PG of America golf professionals competing alongside the world’s best. Now, on behalf of the more than 30,000 PG of America golf professionals around the country, and with the help of our broadcast partners at CBS and ESPN, enjoy the 2025 PGA Championship. [Music] We continue here on a sunny afternoon in Charlotte, North Carolina. Quail Hollow. Great to have you along with us. Some value plays with an eye on uh your wallet presented by ESPN Betton Sportsbook. Hideki’s 45-1 to win. 19 consecutive made cuts in major championships. Patrick Reed 80 to1. He’s got three top 10s in his career at Quail Hollow. Runner up at the PGA in 2017. Finished third in the Masters tournament this year. Get him now before our guy Mitchell goes low on Thursday. He leads the tour in round one scoring average. Our guy Cashmir although I think Kashmir may not be the play with the upper 80s and 90s coming. There’s Xander on six. A little steamy for Cashmere I think. Longest par three at Quail Hollow and a very good T- shot. One of the hardest greens to hit out here to seven. Matthew Fitz Patrick with his second to seven headed well left. He’ll have a very interesting third. Maybe get a little something to eat or drink while he’s over there. Back to six. Maroy on the T and following suit going with four iron as well. But this one slips right. That’s going to drift on down. Yeah, see the players struggle with some of those kinds of shots. This is John Brown with his second par 57. This is playing 533 today, which is two yards shorter than the par 416th is playing. Don’t see that happen very often. John in a nice spot to get it up and in. All right, now third to go at six. Scotty Sheffller all so far on Dave and I think he’s got to bust it. I mean, he’s got to get a little extra out of this. That’s not cutting. So that’ll miss low left. Lot of green to work with for Sheffler. Now to 16. And our leader, Steven Joerger. Step to the T- box here as the leader. 16 has been the most difficult hole on the course today. And a good start for Jerger. Finds the fairway. Now at 12, Gerard for Birdie to move to four under. How about that for an early story in Gerard joining the group at four under 17. I mean I this is no offense to any of these great players, but this is an unlikely leaderboard here on the first day of the PGA Championship. Metro on the T at 17. Ultra tough par three. It’s a good landing spot in a very small window to get it close and he has done that. That’s the best shot we’ve seen by far today at 17. Beautiful. Great birdie chance coming ahead to nine. It has been a struggle for Brooks Capka. There was some bright spots. He birded seven and eight. There. I’m finished. That was all the bright spots. He has been grind been grinding on the range in advance of this and it’s been undone by a couple of poor swings to six. Well done by Scotty Sher. Certainly got through a couple of pick shots early in the round, but that one perfect. So Rory Moy will be next to go. Maybe maybe not as severe where he is as some other of the little closely moan areas. Swailes. What do you think, Curtis? Well, they’re very closely moaned. Closer than the fairway. Uh all roll away from the green every time. I’m not so sure I want to see the ball roll eight or 10 or 12 steps away from the surface after you’ve hit a pretty decent shot. And you have to clip these perfectly. And that’s about maybe one step from really being super good. I think the good thing about it is it’s underneath the hole. Curtis, great touch. The seventh Fitzpatrick with his third. He’s got to land it short. Let it release. And it hits softly as you’d expect in those low areas where all the water drains off the greens. Andy, that could be the whole toughest hole location on uh seventh, don’t you think? Check in on Fowler here for birdie on nine. Well, the putter just has not helped him at all today. He swung at it beautifully, but could not make anything. So, it’s around a 73 for Ricky. You heard John McInness mentioned just couldn’t get anything going. It’s just for those that might not have been with us this morning on ESPN Plus. The 16th hole is a whole lot of challenge. This is our premier group. That’s Rory who was out of position off the tea. Here’s Scotty Sheffller who hit a lovely drive but lost this one left. The crotch have been with this group throughout the day and he mentioned it that word mudball was mentioned by Scotty and Xander who you see immediately they just react as it’s the water for both. Scotty Sheffler had eagled the previous hole. He made double and still had the honor on the tee on 17. I don’t imagine that’s ever happened in his life. You see 16, 17, and 18 how they’re playing in relation to par. Add up one through 15 and that three-hole stretch is as advertised an incredibly difficult section on the golf course. 26. Pretty amazing. Shley’s birdie putt. That one misses low. Xander, Sheffller, and Maroy all with short par putts at six to seven. John Rom putting it from below the green for his third at the par five seventh. He’s got a little work left for his birdie. Anytime you’re putting up these hills, it’s usually into the grain. It’s much slower. Bar putt for Mroy. Okay, [Applause] he stays two over par. Only the one bogey on this side for Mroy. Shane Lowry on nine for par. And he has made a couple of bombs, but the short puts have troubled him. Well, this is not going to go. and he’ll match Rick’s disappointment of 73. Played very well last week in Philadelphia. Had a chance to win. Short putts left him there as well. Yeah. To six to finish for par. No problem for Xander Schoffley. It’s a two putt par. The longest par three at Quail Hollow and the three top ranked players in the world. You can see from high up above Sheffller finish his par. They’ll all make their way to the tea at the par five7. Now Brooks for par. He didn’t mail it in after a really bad run in the middle of the round. He’s got his work cut out for tomorrow for the weekend. Round of 75 for the five-time major champion. As you see, the first three holes on that nine destroying his round to to eight. And Phil Mickelson struggling today. His second at eight. Still has some wizardry in those hands. He’s not over. Could be aggressive at eight. Short par four. Back with birdie at seven. Okay. Middle of this fairway trying to knock it on the green in two and make par. You’re disappointed. And our leader, Steven Jagger, a drive of 318 yards. Curtis 226 to the hole at 16. Aim it right center. Don’t even mess with the flag stick. [Applause] In terms of approaches at 16, that’s pretty good. About 34 ft. Drifts away from the hole for birdie. Can we get our first birdie at 16 from our leaders? We go to 18. All the best with that. We appreciate your support. Norin from the center of the [Music] fairway. Mentioned a bit earlier a torn hamstring and glute in the winter. Played for the first time last week since then in Philadelphia and you’re playing very well. We’ll have a chance for the third birdie of the day on 18 to 17. And we saw that great T- shot and he cashes it in. Nico Echraia after leaving two in the bunker at 13. He’s back to three under par just a couple shots off the lead. Now Ryan Gerard born in North Carolina bitterly disappointed to miss Heinhurst last year. Said he didn’t want to press too hard but was thrilled to be here and he is rolling. said earlier this year after a runner up in San Antonio, he feels like he’s raised the floor. Feels like his his bad still pretty good. Well, you’re seeing his good with his as good as anybody. 57th. Nothing’s happening. All of a sudden, he got off to a nice start. Okay, back to 16 and Jagger up the hill. And you can see the different shades of grass going down grain right there. Still no birdies. Jagger will have that for par to remain one shot clear of the 367s that are in the clubhouse. Over to seven. Xander Shaw with his T- shot at seven. One of my favorite holes in this golf course. Just a beautiful look down here. Creek that runs down the right hand side. You can reach the bunkers on the left. So you got to pull up a good T- shot here. Yeah. And I think all three of these players, Andy, they’re thinking, “Boy, I have to get the seventh and I have to get the eighth because nine will be no picnic.” Yes. Here’s a nice look at the seventh. Playing almost a quarter shot under par. See a few balls into the penalty area in the right. Few balls in the bunker. If you put it in the fairway, there’s a great opportunity to make birdie. They’ve moved the tee up a little bit this this day. So, you can hit it on the green in two. There’s been that one long eagle putt. Now, Roy, see if you can hit one of those fairway finders here. Well, he’s only hit two fairways. Andy back into the wind. It’s not going to be easy. You can see his setup Andy for nice cut. Hold just screams for a little cut, doesn’t it? Well, that that’s exactly the same T- shot he hit the 12th hole early on. He put it right in the middle of the fairway. It’s a hole that you’d think would set up very nicely for Scotty Sheffller. Just take it at the bunkers and just peel it off the bunkers. They know they don’t have to blast it here. They can still just a solid one. Still knock it on the green with the mid iron. Yeah, just a little bit of breeze from the players, right? Seems to like it. [Applause] Two really good T- shots. That will set up an opportunity for Eagle. Let’s go to 16. Okay, Joerger has this left for par to remain one shot clear for the moment and he does. You get through 16 today with the par. You’re gaining a half stroke on the field this whole at 4.5 the hardest in the field. as we go to 15. Seeu Kim simple pitch right up the hill. Oh, give it to him. Little burglary there. Buries it for an eagle. Now Norin for a birdie. Not to be but a round of 68 for Norin in his 13th PGA Championship. Finished 12th a year ago at Valhalla. off to a great start here. And in his PGA Championship debut in his state where he was born, he’s tied for the lead. Look at that backside. Nice little run. We all know what’s coming. Second and five for Keegan. our RDER Cup captain who’s been playing pretty consistent golf with all of his other responsibilities. There’s some movement there. More of a swale than that stays there which is good. So a man who was born in North Carolina and his PGA championship debut, Ryan Gerard tied at the top. Steven Joerger, RDER Cup captain’s playing well as well. First round PGA [Music] [Music] Championship. So weird. [Music] [Music] morning wave is finishing up and boy, we’ve got some spectacular players getting ready to join this competition in the afternoon. How about Justin Thomas looking to win here again and a win since we were together for major championship golf in April as he won in Harbortown. Dustin Johnson so much game we know but DJ has missed the cut for the last six majors won a PJ championship still think that rule again was a tough one. Color Morau rounding out the group. Won his first major out of San Francisco. He tied the court last year at Valhalla. 125 Jordan speed. All that’s on the table for him. The same thing that was on the table for Rory Mackoy at Augusta National. Ninth opportunity to try to try to complete a career grand slam. Patrick Reed has played well here at Quail Hollow. Was a runner up in 2017 and he finished third. The Masters at Augusta National. And we’re big Oberg in in search of a major breakthrough, but he is fairly new to this. Hadn’t played here just yet, but he’ll get his opportunity coming up this afternoon at 125. You mentioned the steady play of Matsuyama. 19 consecutive cuts made in major championships. He of course Masters champion. Windom Clark missed the cut of the last two PGA championships, but he is a a major champion as well out of the LA Country Club. Tom Kim trying to jump start the 25 campaign, couple of top 10s in 13 major starts. And then in the afternoon, as we get later in the day, got some firepower here. Bryson Dashambo, two-time major champion, figures to use his mammoth length to his advantage. plan wedges into a run of these greens. He finished second last year at Valhalla. Victor Hava finished third last year. Still looking for a major but has the game to do it. And Gary Woodland battling back issues early in the week. He told me he’s getting there. He can smash it as well. Won the US Open. Pebble. We got star-studded action all afternoon long as just we had all morning long. Hope you were with us on ESPN Plus. Great to have you here on ESPN. We’ll be with you till groups get finished up today, tomorrow, and look forward to being here on the weekend as well from Quail Hollow to seven. Scotty Cheff his second and seven. That’s from 219, Andy. That was a forearm. That is an absolute perfect spot for Eagle. Keegan Bradley birdie putts a move to four. So slope from left to right. [Applause] bogey free. And Shaw has got some tree top. Yeah, but uh I think with the yards he can keep it low enough and try to scoot it either up in the bunker or around the green somewhere. Andy like that caught the bunker. Yeah, kind of went up hit the lip came on back. Now Rob for birdie at eight. John Rob finally gets one to go in. [Applause] struggle in that four hole stretch. Three bogeies in four holes. Rahm moves back to one under as we go back to seven. Rory front left hole location. No 212. This is a forearm. He’s missed it. Left. Another shot to the left. It’s almost like he tried to take a little off and that’s going to be a tough spot. Andy tried to get up in there from over left. We’ve seen the player struggle to get it all the way to the hole. Robert McIntyre’s playing well. He’s three under parcer brought to you in partnership with Rolex. It’s cool to watch his ball flight. That’s pretty good landing spot for McIntyre. You got to get it perfect. If you do, you can get it close at 17 and 18. JT Poston just on the edge. Let it run down to the hole. Didn’t quite get it up. No, trying to get cute maybe, but was very doable. Once again, not deep bunkers around there. All of them pretty playable. Still have a chance to save Paul. Back to 17. Yeah, we saw the great shot from McIntyre. Now Steven Joerger, he is the co-leader at five under. One of the more visually intimidating T- shots you can have. Water everywhere at 17. Well done. It’s a good spot. All right, back to seven. We’re back at the par five seventh. Billy, looks like Rory’s going to be first to play. He’s going to be first and then Sha and Shuffler. But, uh, earlier at the 14th hole, we saw Rory play a shot very similar to what’s facing him right now. He’s got to keep it down, kind of scoot it up the edge. You just can’t make the mistake of hitting this too firmly. Going well past the hole. Go. Most of players, Bill, have come up well short here. You’re hitting into that UPS slope, the grain, softness, bad combination. [Music] Jason Day for his par to finish up. PGA champion. Pretty healthy now. Been playing some steady golf. to have that class player and gentleman. See, it’s a seven. Assuming it’s Xander, Bill. Yeah, it’s Xander. And he’s going to go ahead and play. And again, I don’t think it’s a lie that he’s going to be able to spin. So, I would think he plays this maybe just a little left for the whole location. plays wide openings and come in outside in slip the club through it. Oh boy, that couldn’t be any better. That was absolutely incredible. I don’t think he could have dropped it and gotten any closer than that. Andy, that carried the bunker about 2 in. And Tommy Fleet finishes up his round. It’s a red number. See, he started 300 under, gave them all back, got the birdie on the par five, seventh, and he begins with 70. Folks, remember the name Michael Block for his remarkable run. His fourth straight PGA. I saw him the other day. He said, “You’re a veteran here.” Now back over at seven, Andy. Rory with his fourth. Yeah. Going to play a totally different shot simply because of the lie and played it very nicely. [Applause] We can’t talk about patience enough. Phil finishing. This will be tested tomorrow. As you see, it’s a difficult day. made a mess of the seventh, lost three, but forever in the history books for what he’s done throughout his career, including of course what he did at Kioise, the oldest ever major champion. Now, Scotty Sheffller, he puted it in from off the green back at 15 for Eagle. Can he do it here again? That’s a really good look, Andy. I mean, with this front hole location, there are not going to be many looks better than what Scotty has here. This in the next 15 minutes, he could turn this round around, knock this thing in. Birdie eight. And all of a sudden, he’s right in the middle. But yeah, big time. I think he has to look for this to move from right to left. Definitely a I think he puts outside the hole. If there was a disappointing birdie, that would be one of them. There aren’t many of them out there. Thought he had a great opportunity to make that. Beautiful look down to see this large green really cut up in three little spots. A left front, a right front, and a back. All tied together with a couple of ridges. And if you’re in the real estate business, this would be a good street to look at. The Van Pel at your house is amazing. That’s my little pad for the week. Not so bad. Norte, you get that argyle going with the You guys get out there on the old mower. I love that. I love doing the the mowing part. I don’t, you know, have people clean the inside. Let me get on the mower and spend some time. Make some patterns. Got to love it. There are some shacks along this seventh hole. I think you’d call them estates. They have one. They have one down the right hand side. Unbelievable, Bill. That is Rick Hendrick’s house. Oh, and Jeff Gordon lived a year in the basement of the house. Well, he probably had seven or 8,000 ft to live in. Well, you got a house that has a bridge to another house that’s part of the same house. Yeah. Tried to squeeze that one in. And the way that he and Austin were looking at that, that that was always going to be a hard tough read. Yeah. With three three players other than Scotty, these two players coming away with par if he taps this one in. Xander is you feel like you’re giving a shot back to the field. At least Sander drove the ball poorly and had to work a little bit from the middle of the fairway with a four iron. Really disappointing not to make four. Yeah. You know, and Andy, you know, the three fairways that he’s hit today, he missed the green at 12. He missed the green. He missed the green every time. missed the green one and now he’s missed it here. Even though this is part five, still you’re in the fairway and you missed every green from the fairway. It’s disappointing, but short par four coming up. Maybe make a birdie there. That’s a spicy meatball. Max ball in the air. on a great line. What a start for Max. They’ve been working hard on his game, working hard on his swing. Looks like it’s coming around 17 to have the lead all his own. Steven Joerger. A lot of players been pretty conservative with putts from that part of the 17th green. to 18 after a disappointing bunker play. Compost and roll it in. That was an aggressive bid to stay at four under now. Gerard at the 311 yd par4th. He’s taking it up well to the right. That will be almost impossible to get the ball close to the hole. You like hitting driver there, Andy? I think I think so today. I think with that front hole location, it’s not a bad play at all. Now it’s Robert McIntyre’s turn at 17. Trying to pour in a birdie putt. Didn’t hit it. He’s not thrilled. Playing well, though. Only two shots off the lead. In almost every other instance, you walk off 17 with a par three and you’re happy. He wasn’t real happy after a great T- shot. Poston here on 18. So, it’s just the one shot dropped. That’s a round of 68 to start to stay five under Joerger. No problem. A lot of solid golf from him. 1617 derailing a lot of rounds. Not Steven Joerger. On to 18 for him. To eight for Sheffler. Another rarity. Another short par four the eight. 342 yds. It’s Sheffller. Tree left of the green. be a great start line. Curtis, we watched this hole numerous times. You can be as aggressive or as as layup as you want. Yeah, I think you have to pick your line. The line right today is the tree and with a little cut. Anything but the bunkers on the left. Do you see threewoods drivers off this tee? All depends on how you feel. Depends on where the hole location is today. Longest drive of the day. Rasp Hoyard 329 yds was able to get it up there within 40 ft. And Billy, despite the struggles, we we’ve seen a couple of shots now of Xander and and Rory smiling. They still seem to be having a good time. Even though the course right now has been a bit of a struggle for them. Well, it’s like uh Curtis and Ann Andy were saying, you know, you’re going to have to go through patches like this and you know, you just have to get through it and you know, I think they’ve done a very good job. I mean, yeah, it’s disappointing walking away for with five on the on the previous hole, but you know, both players obviously they think they have the the power to get to this green. We’re going to wait for the green to clear. So, I just think if they can just get through this round, make a correction, see where they are, proceed from there. Billy, this is just the way they played it. Very aggressive off the tea. Get it closer to as close to the green as possible. Over to nine and the approach for Fitzpatrick. Yeah. 235 to the hole. Want to land this about 220. Oh, you got a good kick, Susie. That’s beautiful. He’s playing a Sterling round of golf. So, still waiting. Scotty Sheffller, he already went hit the three medal up there. Content with a wedge in the distances we’ve seen out of Xander today off the tea. He’s going to be aggressive and try to turn the round around. So, while they wait to send it, we’ll go back to nine. Well, so much for me saying there’s a break. Great drive here. 2011 about where he wants to head. What a coach again for those who hadn’t been with us throughout the morning over 530 yards. I think backed this tea up significantly from the last time there was a PGA or even the tour stop here. Ron with a chance to get another birdie as this group continues to wait on seven eight. I beg your pardon, Billy. What What’s the play from where you’re standing of where Xander is going to look to do? I think he’s going to look just left of the bunker that the guards the green side on a little bit in front of the flag. And you know, I think he can put it up there. You know, certainly near the fringe. No problem. Green is clear. Fire away. Ander, go. That was smashed. Say all of this. 23 birdies on the eighth. No Eagles today. You know, it’s an aggressive play. Now, Mroy. Well, Tuesday and Wednesday, I watched him hit a lot of drives. Kind of averaged out about 188 ball speed, 325 carry. Be a nice time to hit one of those. Good boy. That’s going towards that big tree left of the green mat. [Music] kicks back down. Settles into the sprinkler. He’ll get relief. If they’re going to make birdie, Curtis, you and I were talking a moment ago with everything that’s going on. If they can get this thing to around plus one. Absolutely. Despite all the troubles, they’d have to feel pretty good. We got a long, long ways to go. And there’s a lot of little battles every round that you have to win between your ears. This right now was one of them. Not an eye. See if Rob can finish with a birdie. Yeah, this would be nice. A little turn at the end. We didn’t give him a lot of talk pre-ournament, but coming in here, we know he has the length. We know he has the ability. Hasn’t won a lot on the other tour, but uh never count him out. Has been in the top 10 though throughout the year and on live. here a red number made the point repeatedly this morning just out of position after the first round at Augusta had to continue to fight back but he did actually played himself into the top 20 there all right Max now for a birdie to start didn’t have the line if it’s Patrick on nine last month talking about how he played. He said it’s rubbish. Simple as that. It’s been awful. Doesn’t have a top 20 this year. But we know this is a guy with a ton of game. A major champion. Not going to add to the birdie collection, but nevertheless around Susie of 300 par. He played incredibly well, didn’t he? He really did. He started off slowly, hit some poor drives in the beginning, straightened it out, and you know, really impressive that he hung in there. He’s gotten up and down when he needed to. played conservative when he should have with his irons and was able to get those shots up and down. 68 far from rubbish. That’s an awfully nice start for Fitzpatrick. And one round can change your attitude very quickly. to 14. Gerard with that shot. We’ve seen other players have to short into the bank and he got his to pop over it. What a terrific play. He’s made four birdies in a row. This would be for five if it stays there. Hang on. That was really a good shot. Oh, it’s still trickling now. It’s not quite as good a shot. Now it’s really disappointing. Oh, hey, I got a turf. Go Turpps. Go Turpps. Back to eight and Sheffller. Well, trying to throw it up in the air. Use a little trajectory. Oh, nestled down pretty good. Going to get a little bit of help. Keeps coming back for Sheffley trying to get another one on his card. So, Scotty Sheffley will have that for birdie at the eight to 18. What a good-looking hole. Intimidating T-OT. It goes to show you you don’t have to big have a big lake to the left. Just a tiny creek. Be intimidating heading that way. Saw it bounce. Got to get eyes on it before we say definitively. Yeah. Club professional Dylan Newman for birdie on 13. Get there. [Applause] This his second PGA appearance. Folks at Metobrook Club, Jericho, New York undoubtedly gathered around to share their manor. Love to see 17. That’s flirting with danger over there on that side of the green. I’d say Lorie Caner got a little break and then rolled in a long birdie. But they’re destroying the scoring average here. Oh, they’re lighting up 17. No birdies at 16 and we’ve had plenty at the par three. Gerard’s third shot. If you’re going to go for with this to this screen with a driver, you better hit a good shot. Obviously, left is trouble and we’ve seen the players really struggle getting it into the rough right of the screen. Well, back to Rory now at eight. That’s where his drive settled. Good break. Looked like it was headed left, Billy, but yeah, he found a good spot for land. Got a good spot with the drop from the sprinkler head that uh was mentioned. Now you have that tight little lie. Not much green to work with. I think if he lands it maybe a yard short, that would be perfect. How many options does he have on his shot? Three. I mean, you can go ahead and throw it up there and maybe hope that it comes back a little bit or you can fire it into the hill like that. And then of course you could take it a little bit higher, Curtis. But I just think he had enough cushion back there that that was the proper play. He just kind of misjudged a little bit. Did not look pleased with that effort. Still has work to do to make birdie. As we are getting ready to welcome Justin Thomas in this group to the first round. Walked with he Maverick McNeely and uh Max Holm on Thursday and he was hitting awfully well. This is a twotime BGA champion. one here and one with a remarkable Sunday surge. Seven Hills and buried a bomb in a playoff to win for the first time in a long while and he is an awfully confident putter. Great iron player for sure. And you see that the putter is been excellent this year. It’s why he won down at Harbortown. and I call and DJ are ready to be introduced. Good afternoon and welcome to the 107th PGA Championship. At the 114 teaoff time, our 2017 PGA Champion from Florida, Justin Thomas. You got to give him the 22 as well, right? Two time winner. Can’t leave one out. I mean, is this one Thomas knew when we spoke at August he was awfully close. Felt confident it was coming. It did the very next week and again looked spot on in his practice a day ago. Just over the edge of the trees. Big dog leg to the right. Let’s go JT. That’s going to work just fine. For those that might have been watching earlier, let me let the introduction be made. Next on the tea from Florida, Dustin Johnson. Dog leg left to right or you can just hit it over the corner of the trees. We saw Xander and Rory both just vomit over those trees and DJ certainly has the length to do that. Although earlier this week we saw him working with quite a few drivers trying to find one that he felt comfortable with. [Applause] That’ll work. Next on the tea, our 2020 PGA champion from California, Colin Morawa. Halfway to the slam. He won at Harding Park coming out of a massive log jam on Sunday with one of the great shots we’ve seen in major championship Sunday. La par four made it. A ball striker will win here this week and he is certainly one of the best. Well said. An iron game to be envied. It’s been very close. Put himself in position repeatedly in the past couple seasons. If there’s been an issue, it’s been on Sunday just getting his nose across the line. A long way from Sunday. His championship is just getting started to eight. We have some ball strikers at eight. Xander for birdie to get to one over. Well done by Xander. Birdie hole. He’s short. Car for eight. Xander takes advantage. Back to one. Adam Scott looking to begin with a birdie. Just a roll shy. Scotty’s now 44. Just still a game and swing as elegant as ever. Back to eight. Mroy straight up the hill. Billy, he just cannot find any rhythm. Won’t step away from eight and head to nine. And the challenge that Rasmus Huygard faces from the rough. Just trying to get it back in play. No way to get it to the green, but he did get it to the right bunker. Looks like he got a lot of club on that ball from the rough from way back there to eight. And Sheffller. This one’s got a little speed. It’s got a little right turn in it as well. This is kind of what we were talking about. You get number seven, you have an opportunity here. And actually, we’ve seen a lot of putts missed on the low side in this round. Only Xander in this superstar grouping was able to make birdie. Sheffller will remain at one under. Mroy two over. Xander at plus one. Curtis. Bit of a disappointment for that group to just get the one birdie. Absolutely. But that’s the chance you take when you try to drive it at the green. If you don’t drive it properly, it’s a tough up and in. hit a good second and just had a tough putt left. Let’s go to the drivable Van Tander at 14 311 yds. He hit it down through the gap between the bunker and the right hand rough. And this looks really good. Oh, hit softly. Oh, what a shot. What a shot. And we will have an Eagle opportunity. had two two eagles so far. That is the closest shot so far today. So this now the third for Jagger whose T-shot did end up in that creek. Curtis, what a tough one this is. Ball well below his feet with a creek left of the hole. You can bet that was going to go to the right. Now have a tough up and in to save bogey. Remain at minus five. This man right here could very well be the leader in just a moment. [Applause] Go figure that his birdie run would end on 14. Ryan Gerard. Well, that’s quite a leaderboard. Surprising names near the top. Birdies to be had. Some of the best players in the world struggling. It’s been an eventful first round of this 2025 PGA Championship. Can it be? Yes. Unbelievable. What else would you expect? Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. It’s all his now. Your new professional golfers association champion. [Music] It’s the highest our sport gets. Right. Jordan Speed, who’s trying to make history, trying to become another career grand slam winner. Certainly having won the other three, it’s an elephant in the room for me. It’s a goal of mine. That would be the number one coolest thing that could happen to me going forward in this sport. I think would it creep into my head on a Sunday in contention? Probably. Can I embrace that and use that as an advantage? That would be kind of the fun test. We saw Rory Mroy become the sixth member of the fraternity. Curtis for speed. That’s a he said it’s what he carries with him every year when he shows up at the PGA Championship. Trying to make it seven on the list. Be remarkable after that long wait. If we had it in backto-back majors, but we think it’s the most important thing for Speed to navigate here initially. Drive it in the fairway. Uh absolutely. Take advantage of of his ability to to hit some good iron shots and and let his short game take over. one of the best we’ve ever had in the game pitching the ball around the greens, making important putts. But just be patient. Uh you know, the wrist injury is good. There you see the scar on his left wrist. It uh was more than he thought. It would be a hugely popular win. Well, he’s someone we’ve known since he was a young man. He’s certainly not old, but clock ticks and his time to tee off is just about now. Good afternoon and welcome to the 107th PGA Championship. This is the 125 tea off time. Now on the tea from Texas, Jordan Speed greeted by quite a roar. His wife Annie expecting their third child. quarter in. You say drive it straight, hit the fairway. He’s longer than folks maybe think. He’s got the power to move it out there. Well, I don’t think he has the power to get it out of the rough on some of these long holes. So, short grass is most important for him. Understood. [Applause] Great sign. Solid start. Yep. Great sign for him. Next on the tea from Texas, Patrick Reed. Runner up here in 2017 to Justin Thomas. Finished third the Masters back in April. Good ball striker, good driver, good iron player. Let’s go. Careful bunker on the left. He’s going to find it there. No. Now on the tea from Sweden, Ludvig Oberg. [Music] This guy Curtis just has that thing. People talk about the guy that’s got it. He’s got it. He has it. And every time he steps from the first TE, he will be a factor. Played well in Augusta in April. still getting more acquainted with major championship golf, but [Music] he’s got the goods. That’s the aggressive line we saw Rory and Xander take earlier. If there’s such a thing as a natural, Oberg is it. The beauty of the way he plays is the pace with which he plays. He steps up with a purpose and an intention and then quickly gets about his business. unencumbered. I suppose not a lot of worry in that game. Not much to worry about. Boyard had that to save his par and drifts a bit left, but nevertheless, still an awfully nice start. 300 par Thomas from the bunker. John McGinness is with this group and John, he’d take that nine actually 10 times out of 10. Yeah, I agree with that. [Applause] Get back to John in a moment. Scotty’s second on nine. Another sixiron. the best he’s hit today. That’s as good an approach as we’ve seen on nine. Spectacular from the world’s number one player. But this is his hoham round. Look out. Morocawan one. Coming from above the hole down the hill. Now Xander is second on nine. Actually pretty clean line. And that’s right on line, but from the rough was never stopping. Back to seven. There’s Keegan putting from off the green. Going to be very slow. Has to miss that sprinkler head just to the left. Just barely missed it. That was well done. Really had no chance to pitch. He’d had to cut the ball and fortunate just to get it sturdy by that sprinkled head. Had to be committed to that line, didn’t he, Andy? If he given that that big sprinkle head was in the way and this group is superstars, he shouldn’t for certain. It’s just it’s been a grind basically since about 8:30 this morning. Well, you saw Rory walk up to the green and uh actually the T-OT wound up near a pine tree did quite well to get it to this position. And I’m going to say he’s right at 70 yards. But it’s tough to go around here only hitting three fairways. Curtis. Yeah, Billy. And this is a tough shot, too. So much green in front of him. Tough to judge where to land it. And the roll out here. Can tell you that Bradley did make his birdie on seven maybe made easier with the downward pitch on this. He can go ahead and count on this ball. Kind of taking that big leap forward. This is the shot I don’t think anybody really practices enough from professional golf to amateur golf. Good shot. I’ll have that. Left it below the hole. All right. Now, Joerger, one of our co-leaders after the finding the creek. This is his fourth. That’s awfully good. He’ll have that to stay within one of the lead. Meanwhile, Gerard Take a really lofted club. Get it on the edge. Downhill all the way to the home. That’s on the move. Gerard. That’s a three. Look at the back nine. Here’s North Carolina. Tarheel living in Raleigh, North Carolina. Have him chanting go Carolina line. He’s seven under and on the lead on his own by at least three. Eager opportunity for Antler and better number got some fire happening on 14 and 15. Well, club professional Bobby Gates at the par 37th there. Dave, his grandfather was one of my first sponsors. Is that right? Yeah. What a shot. Granddad would have been pretty proud of that shot from the Summit Golf School in the Woodlands, Texas. One of the best we’ve seen all day at 17. All right, tonight we see Shafley take a big swing. Loft it up in the air. Hopes it lands softly. [Applause] speed in the middle of the fairway on one. That’s going to end up in one of those two bunkers. Good news is he’s he’s as good as Sam player as there is out here, but that’s not what he was looking for to two. Terrell Hatton birdie putt down the hill. It’s a nice start for him. Tough par four first. Makes a par and now to one under with a birdie at the second. Go back to that first hole. Ober plays about six yds down the hill. 182 on a nice line. Very efficient. You see that club face is behind the ball for a fraction of a second and he pulls the trigger. All right. Now Joerger to stay within three of the lead. Gerard and he walks that one in. So the T-OT cost him but only the one shot. Joerger. A round of 67 matches Fox Smallley and Donald. Now Xander for par. Be a nice one to get. Couple of good pucks during the round. That was a hard fought 72 for the reigning champion. He’s going to stay in the fight major championships. Yeah, it’s kind of like once they hopped on the struggle bus, they couldn’t get off. It was It was crowded. You want to ride in the front? I’m fine. No, you got a roundtrip ticket today. Rory with a lengthy putt. This would be This would be one of those professional pars, Curtis. Well, this is what makes them so good right here. This would be a big putt, too. It’s currently at plus two. A struggle today. Be nice to finish off with a positive note. Get over to that practice tee and hit some balls. Nope. Not to be. He said I pulled it. It appeared his lips on that one. And for a man who, as everyone undoubtedly aware, has won here on four different occasions. Not what anyone had scripted. Yeah, it just makes the rest of the tournament that much tougher. Every shot that much more magnified. So, one number in the red. It’s a lot going on on this card. An eagle that was followed immediately by double on 16 at the end of the day. It’s a round of 70. Scotty Sheffller and this world class trio. Difficult day, but that’s that’s the major championship golf. If this is his poor and it’s still around under Paul, you got to remember that come Sunday night. Yeah, Scotty. And even the putt for Xander there. It could look back on that as spotty maybe for for tomorrow’s early round. U right now the fun begins. Matt Barry. Yes, it does. Scott, our leader, Ryan Gerard steps to the tea at 16. I made the comment earlier. He’s living in Raleigh. He’s from Raleigh, living in Jupiter now, like every other person. Do they have a little town community? What they don’t have is state tax and I think a lot of folks figure that out. All right, Cameron Young. Let’s don’t go there. 63 ft on its way. Do it for Gordo. How about it? Really needs it because he has been struggling this year. A lot of talent in that young man. but hasn’t quite got any momentum yet. No greater supporter than our guy Gordo. Those that listen to Espie Pod and are familiar with our show than great research nuggets provided by him. Here’s Speed trying to get up and down one. Not taking advantage of the good shot in the fairway. That’s what he cannot do here this week. All right. As we take a look at this leaderboard and Gerard again, Carolina Tarheel, a lot of folks here cheering him on. That’s a gigantic story at the moment. So too is the fact that European Rder Cup captain Luke Donald played a bogey free round of 67. Visited with Marty Smith when he was done. European Rder Cup captain Luke Donald showing his guys the way today. Sir, if I say to you that it’s your lowest first round score in a major championship since 2004, ties the best you’ve ever done in the first round, what’s your reaction? Well, obviously I’ve been trending uh this year. Uh five or six missed cuts in the events I’ve played. So, golf’s a crazy game. Um yeah, obviously um incredible to go out and bogeyree in in a major tournament is is fun. I think I must be uh must be must have been inspired by some of my Europeans who’ve been playing so well this year. What was working for you today? Uh really well on the greens. Um you know and around the greens. I I only hit nine greens today but uh you know putted really well. I I think when I did miss greens I was missing in the right spots. So giving myself reasonably good looks uh to get up and down. These greens are very fast, very slopey. Um and so if you miss in the wrong side it’s it’s almost impossible. So good putting though. Um and you know got the ball in in play a little bit more off the team. Excellent work. Thank you for your time. You keep playing like that. You might just have to put yourself on your own team, sir. Don’t know about that one round, but it’s a good start. Thank you. Thank you, Luke. Great start for him as you see the surrender cobra as I believe they call it for Rory Mroy. It’s not the day he had in mind. One, two, and three are finished up for the day. Look, if you show it, you know what I’m going to say. Go Turpps. Although that’s that’s our tur our our turf is a whole lot more handsome, I think. With all due respect to those particular turtles. Quail Hollow as free as a bird. Gerard, your leader, 700. [Music] 25-year-old Ryan Gerard, North Carolina Tarheel here in the state where he was born. Although he was born in Raleigh, but neither here nor there. Undoubtedly, plenty of supporters following him around as he sets the pace ahead of a quartet of players who have turned in rounds of four underpar. Keegan Bradley out there working on a round four under Ludvig Oberg now with a birdie bid on one. A great line just runs out of steam. Oberg begins with a par four on the first just tied for fifth. Most difficult hole at the moment. So a four there is more than acceptable to eight. Well, we just heard Marty Smith with Luke Donald, the European Rder Cup captain. The American captain, Keegan Bradley, having a heck of a day. And that short par four, he’s put himself in a great position to make another birdie. That’s kind of just an incredible story the way those two are playing today. It is amazing. All right, Speed for an up and down. He he saw Ludvigs peel off to the right and was maybe expecting that. did not. So, it’s a shot drop for Speed to begin his first round. The second, this is a par putt down the hill for Justin Thomas. Drove it right behind the tree, pitched out and played the air. I basically had Bogeear written all over it from the T. Happens a lot out here. Meanwhile, Speaking of amazing stories, Ryan Gerard seven under three shots clear on the hardest hole on the golf course. His second shot and he hits the green that he’s he’s in good position. If you if you’re just joining us and you missed, Schoffley, Sheffller, Makawy all made double bogeies on that hole. All of them. Now the birdie putt for Keegan Bradley. Oh my goodness. That’s a shock to the system. He makes his par. He still has not made a bogey all day. He and Luke Donald the only bogey free rounds of the day on the golf course among those playing not just beginning the rounds obviously. Oh no. That was that was for bogey, huh, John? Yeah. There are family members asking me not to be around their players anymore. Yeah. You were not the magic uh touch for Kka Fowler and Lowry in the morning. Now Justin Thomas. Ouch. The cooler John McG. Not the reputation he’s looking for, I’m sure. Let’s take a look at the journey to the championship presented by Chase Sapphire. Bryson Dambo. Best finish in the PJ Championship came last year at Valhalla. He was defeated at the very end by Xander Shley. He’s got three top fives here since 2020. The most of anyone. His most recent start was a victory in South Korea. So you think of the players around the world who won since the Masters. Scotty Sheffle, Justin Thomas, Bryson Dambo as well. And given his monstrous length, figures to be a strength that he can lean on, that’s not all he’s got in the pack. Great deal of imagination as well. And we’ll let the introduction be made and get a thought from Curtis about Dambo’s chances this week. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the 107th PGA Championship. This is the 147 starting time from Texas, Bryson D. Shambo, [Applause] Curtis, the greatest strength that he’ll be able to lean on this week is what? His his strength right there. his length off the tea, has the strength if he doesn’t drive it well to get it out of the rough to the green. And as you said, he won the US Open at Wingfoot with his short game. [Music] [Applause] He is playing well. Certainly played well at the Masters. Not a good solid last round playing with Rory, but good start there right in the middle of the fairway. Now on the tea, please welcome from Norway, Victor Havlin. Get a thought on Victor in a moment. I thought it was interesting just going back to August. He was first in putting through three rounds was to Shambo and then dropped a shot on three, Rory made it. Missed a shot on four, Rory made it. And the really the tournament for Bryce, I think, slipped out of his hands at that point. But he putted beautifully there as well. I think for all the length a lot of times his putting doesn’t get mentioned as much. Goes uphill seven yardds from here. The pin is perched just on a ridge in the center of the green. Victor been struggling with his game but came back and won in surprising fashion. Now on the tea, please welcome from Kansas, Gary Woodland. Victor’s the kind of player that if if the light came on at any point, it wouldn’t be surprising. Gary Woodland, US Open champion, Pebble Beach, had to withdraw from an event a couple weeks ago. Back bothering him, but said he’s feeling there. Feel like he’s getting there. Powerful player. [Applause] flies to everything. Yep. Bounces out. Not quite. Ends up in the rough there. And while this group walks off the first T, we visit with Marty Smith, joined now by a man who’s just finished up his first round, Scotty Sheffler. Marty, thank you, Scotty. Quite a day for the world. Number one incredible two under. And I say incredible, you saw a lot of this golf course today, sir. What did the course present you today? Yeah, there were some challenges out there. Um, coming out this morning, you know, the ground was still a little bit wet, so there was definitely some mud on the ball, which was challenging for us at times. You know, being in the fairway, not not having great control over where the ball is because there’s mud on it can be uh challenging. But, you know, that’s going to happen to everybody out there today. And so, we kind of powered through that and uh did a good job of kind of keeping a level head out there and was able to post a decent score on a day in which, like you said, I was kind of a little bit all over the place at times. When in your life have you ever scored a double and then had tea honors on the next hole? Yeah, that was an interesting one. You know, Xander and I both hit it there in the fairway and I actually didn’t know what happened to Rory over there on the side. We found out as we were walking off that he had made double, but Xander and I were both in the fairway and had mud balls and it’s just tough to control coming down that hill and um you know, end up both of us got a bad break there and hit in the water and um we actually had to make some putts for double, so I didn’t feel too terrible about it making a six seven footer for double, but um yeah, it’s pretty rare playing with uh top three players in the world and double keeps the honors. What’s most important this afternoon and evening looking ahead to tomorrow? I’m gonna go hit a few balls. Um, you know, I didn’t feel like I hit at my best today, but I like you said, I did a good job of getting it around. So, I’m gonna go hit a few balls and work out and get some recovery and uh, you know, get ready for uh, tomorrow. Excellent grind, sir. Thank you for your time, Scotty. Thank you, Marty. Scotty, appreciate that. Our leader, this would be the first of the day at 16 from about 45 ft away. It’s been hard for players to get it all the way to the hole. It’s not a bad lag, though. Seen some come up way shorter than that. Meanwhile, Oberg from the fairway at two after a really solid par on the first. That one spins back. It might still be moving. We’re not going to see a lot of that this week. Spinning back here with his second of the power four 14th just creeping it over the ridge. This is going to be really good. That’s as well as we’ve seen from up on top of that hill. Can you imagine how excited some of these club professionals are playing in their first PGA? Absolutely. Playing up against hitting ball faces some of their heroes, people they look up to and respect so much. Eric’s from Pebble Brook Golf Club in Noblesville, Indiana. I always love to give the acknowledge where they’re from because they represent their club for sure, but really they represent the game. They’re the heart and soul of the game. These folks that are teaching those of us that uh love it and want to play it better how to do it a little bit better. You know, absolutely. Billy Crassart and I last night were talking about our dads who were PGA club professionals. Love it. Take a look at the first hole. 19 yds shorter than it was in 17. You got to take it over the very edge of the trees. And there you see the T- shots from Dishambo, Havlin, and Woodland. Woodland hitting missing fairway to the right. Good starting point. Billy Crouch joined this group after walking with worlds number one, two, and three. Good afternoon, Billy. Hope you grab a sandwich at the turn. See, Bryson sorting out the next shot. Such a grinder and a thinker. Curtis, I can’t help but look at Bryson. It looks like the the skull and bones on his logo. And he he he should carry the skull and bones. The way he plays, the way he looks, strong man, powerful player. Billy Crotcher will be joining this group in just a bit. Get his insights as he does. In the meantime, see Bryson taking a look. There you see the whole location back left. This was the hardest hole in 2017. Only a third of the field was able to hit the green in regulation. You see how closely guarded it is by those three bunkers. 37 paces from back to front. All right. Tell you one other thing about Bryson Dshambo. He’s not scared. He won’t back off and he thinks he can win here. Exactly. Y the leader of this PGA championship, Ryan Gerard for par at 16. Tell you what, just solid golf from him and sometimes spectacular golf. One bogey. His back nine is just awesome. to 18. Dang Griffin for a round in the red and Griffin. Another Carolina Tarheel. Tarheels everywhere. How you feel about that, Mr. Demon Deacon? It’s all right with you. I’m okay with that. They throw us a bone once in a while. Part of a team victory down in New Orleans. Uh, speaking of 211, he’s already made one long putt. Cameron Young, and he’s made two in a row. They teach you that at Wake Curtis. What’s that? How to putt like that? Yeah. Well, they teach you a lot of things. I’m not sure it’s putting number one on the list. 90 ft of putts on the first two holes. That’ll get you well in a hurry, won’t it? Wow. That’s more than he averages per round. Cameron Young. That’s a good start. Back-to-back birdies. Gordo’s guy off and running. Yeah, FRL. Great angle here. Hoblin now his second. And that’s deep. So Shambo has a look at birdie on the collar and we will step aside for a couple of hours. Welcome our friends from CBS into their chairs. A Sports Center update if you’re staying with us. We will see you back here with more golf 4 Eastern time. [Music] Here we go. What’s up? Okay, we got a minute apparently. Hello. Hello. One, two, three. Hey, Joey. I got a bit of a echo. I’m in. Hey y’all. I have an echo. I’m here. I do too. Frank Anderson. Okay. Uh, sure. Let me check in with Trevor. Hey. One, two, three. Yeah. All right. Ian Baker Finch. Welcome home, Jimmy. So good to be home. Frank Nabo. Yes. Welcome home. You like my hometown? I do. Love it. Queen City. Great city. Andrew Cal. Okay, Jim. Here we go. Let’s see. Die Pepper. Hey, Jim. How are you? I’m great. Welcome to my hometown. Yeah. Mark Illeman. Yes, sir. Lots of people asking about you around here. I’m sure I got about 28 people out there today. Uh Colt Nost. Hello, sir. Do you have more hometowns or country club memberships? Uh, do you want me to check in with Michael Eaves and Marty Smith? There we go. See if they can hear us. Marty, you hear us? I do hear you, sir. Welcome, man. Welcome to my town. Your town. Oh, we are grateful to have such esteemed, historically gifted talent in the Queen City. Trev, I’m with Jordan. You, too, Jim. Got it. Trev, I’m with JT’s group. Got it. And Daddy’s with Bryson. Bryson, correct? Got it. Enjoy the two hours. Yes, I am here. Sweat. Yeah. Brad. Yep. Brad, are you back there? I am, Jim. Thank you. Yes. How are you, buddy? Good to have you back. You do such a good job when we bring you in on these things. Thank you, sir. Mark, who did you say you with again? Uh DJ Justin Thomas and Colin Marikawa. Copy. Thank you. Who are you with, Frank? Um, still with Selena? I don’t know. Actually, it’s a good question. Yeah. I don’t know. Tammy gave me a call this morning. So, stop it. Stop it. Uh, what was that? Mark Elman. I got Mark. Okay. Colt. Hello. Colt. Colt. Cold. Colt’s still at the cell one pub. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, I can’t get mine over there. I got to leave it here. So, the first tour event that Ryan Gerard ever attended was the 2007 event here. Yeah, he was seven-year-old won by Tiger, which was on Mother’s Day. Are we allowed to say that? I just say showed up for a tournament here. It could have been a club scramble. The next day after Tiger won, I had dinner with the Queen of England. All right. in 2007 on the Monday. Is that like the 16th of May or something like that? The day before May 7th was the day of dinner with a queen. Okay. It’s the first day of a major. Everyone still believes the crackle in the air is born of that hope. All these players somewhere inside have laid out some scenario that ends with them holding the [Applause] [Music] wan. Welcome everyone to the 107th playing of the VGA Championship. We’re about midway through round number one and a surprise at the top of the leaderboard. That’s often the case at a major, but who knows? Maybe this guy has legs. Talking about Ryan Gerard. Okay, we need us first. What do you that right there? Okay, here’s the list of commentators. Common folks. Well, we call them commentators. Trevor, Ian, Frank, Andrew, all in the super tower with Dy, Donnie, Mark, and Cole out on the course. Marty Smith with the interviews. Brad Gregory with the rules. Well, most of you were expecting something just like this. Ryan Gerard, who first attended a professional golf event on these very grounds back in 2007. He followed the final pairing of VJ Singh and Tiger Woods with Tiger prevailing. Now he’s back and he’s uh leading this field. And here’s what’s happened earlier. Rory looking a lot like Trevor on a dance floor. Meanwhile, Xander Shafley, this was just a disaster, Trev, at the 16th. The top three players in the world. Must have been some mud, but we won’t mention that. He wasn’t the only one. This is out of sequence, by the way, cuz it was Wasn’t Scotty first out of out of those two? I think he I was launching it. Yeah. Yep. Yeah. Switch that. Okay. You know, cuz you wanted a little segway to this. Mhm. Second. And that’s that that says at the second up there. That’s the ninth. And here’s Keegan Bradley. Big day for the captains. Yeah, absolutely. It’s too bad you’re not playing in this, Trevor. The first captain on these grounds a couple years ago for the international team. I might have broken 80. Luke Donald, though. Look at this. European Rder Cup captain still has it at age 47. You saw him yesterday before uh this tournament started. We wouldn’t tell that story. I don’t think he was expecting anything like this. No, but who was expecting Ryan Gerard to be leading this tournament? Not me. Crashes in for an eagle. Doesn’t even know how to react. went for the low five. Went for the slap. Yeah, I they Yeah, I can I can still I can still pivot back to Scotty second of the ninth. I can’t I can’t Yeah. [Music] Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, drying out and sorting out this first round leaderboard of the season, second major, the 107th edition of the PGA Championship. [Music] So good to be with all of you here in the Queen City and sitting in the super tower alongside Trevor Imlman in Baker Finch, Frank Navalo and Andrew Catalan. Donnie Pepper, Mark Illeman and Colton knows calling the action on the course. Marty Smith alongside for the interviews and Brad Gregory handles the rules. Well, this leaderboard, it’s a surprise at the top from Ravi, North Carolina. Ryan Gerard is our leader with two holes to play. What a round he’s playing. Seven under par. That’s three better than Luke Donald and others. And he’s live for par at the 17th. So, that’s going to be his second bogey of the day. just on fire on the second nine though. Six under for that six-hole stretch from 10 through 15. Pretty impressive, Trev. Just the one bogey in the round and that was back at the third and the eagle at 15. An extra special emphasis on a memorable round for the young man. And you look at 17, how it’s been playing at about 3.3 today. He will not be the only one struggling at this tough part three. Tough hole, the 17th. We’ll see plenty of that during the week, that’s for sure. Playing in his third major, his first PGA championship as Ryan has played in a couple US Opens, but his first PGA is memorable. Tough day though for the stars like Masters champion Rory Moy slipping out of that shot at 16. Playing in the company of Scotty Sheffler and Xander Shley. Top three players in the world were doomed at 16 today. Their seventh hole of the day. You saw Rory in trouble. You saw Sheffler hook it into the water. And what about Xander? I This is almost unbelievable at this point that he goes ahead and follows Scotty in there. He knows immediately that ball is hooking well left and that steep bank kicks it down in there. All three may double bogey at 16. And now their final hole of the day. Scotty his approach. This is a thing of beauty to the back hole location. Green still got some bounce in them after the left. What a majestic shot. Led to a birdie and a 200p par finish. The round of 69. He’s tied for 15. Shopley was one over. Mroy plus three. Meanwhile, US RER Cup captain Ke Tegan Bradley has played well today. And there’s that bounce I’m talking about. Flag high on that one. What a shot from Keegan. And how about the European Rder Cup captain. Luke Donald at 47. He was the first player out today. Hit the first shot of this championship and he hung on all day long. That beautiful pitch led to a round of 67. Yeah, Boree. fantastic. He’s played five tournaments this year. Missed the cut in all of them. Really around the goal. We just saw Gerard give away a shot at 17, but at 15, he crashes it in for an Eagle. The runner up recently at the Texas Open. His lead is now two. Look at this card. He’s missed only three fairways and four greens. And he starts the second side if you will. Birdie birdie birdie birdie par eagle. So get ready to see him a lot the way it’s going as he is again a Raleigh kid about uh a 2 and a half hour drive away from Charlotte. his other two majors. He played in the last well he played in two US Opens, one at the Country Club and one at LA Country Club. Made the cut once and we’re at the second hole now. And Bryson after an enormous drive just 96 yds remaining. Three good shots in there, buddy. Excellent shots. I’ve already seen 14 birdies at the second today. We might see one or two more. We talked about it being a good course for the Bombers. Absolutely. And the second’s a great example of that. If you’ve got the distance and the height, you just cake take it right over the corner of the trees. Up to 18 now in our leader. He’s wearing his North Carolina Tarheel colors. That Carolina blue shirt. Now this always a demanding T- shop with a creek down the left, trees on the right. bunker at about 290. I think it stayed just short of it. I can see it up there in the corner of the fairway. So, good T- shot. Gutsy taking it down the creek with a fade. Over at nine. Here’s Keegan. His final hole of the day is to stay in a tie for second. Beautiful ball striking from Keegan today. Missed just two fairways. 13 greens. Super solid stuff from him. So with the bogey, he fails to match his captain opponent and Luke Donald. So it’s one up Donald after round one. Maybe we can go ahead and settle the RDER Cup right here with the two captains. I say it’s pretty impressive, Keegan. Good stuff. Former PGA champion of 2011. We’re at the fourth and Justin Thomas at the par three. The 2017 PGA champion made a double bogey back at the second hole. He is two over early in his opening round. Ryan Gerard makes the walk down 18. The leader at the 2025 PGA Championship. [Music] Tracing by Top Tracer is brought to you in partnership with Rolex. Back out at the fourth and Dustin Johnson has a birdie part here at the par three. Nicely done. Johnson playing alongside Colin Morawa and Justin Thomas. His first birdie of the afternoon. Back to two and Bryson for birdie very makeable. But anything above the hole needs some respect. Well, he had the right speed. Doy just gave it a little bit too much. So easy to do in the downhill putts here as we go to four and Thomas trying to finish off his par. Well, a bumpy start for Thomas. The double at two, bogey at three and he is three over through his first four holes to 14. This of course the drivable par4 the 14th water down the left and Nick Taylor’s found it. Knew it immediately. Pretty much everybody going for it today at 14 to four. And the two shot for Ludvig Oberg. The first of four very difficult par threes. And this is headed left. Wow. And way long. My goodness. Up to five as JT trying to get this round somehow settled down. That’s not going to help. Mm-m. Saw him struggle with the driver last weekend missing to the left. That one squeezed out to the right. We’re back at the fourth. And Jordan Speed. That’s an eight iron trying to ride this right to left win. Solid shot. Center of the green. Really not far from where you’re aiming there. Okay, he was set up to the right trying to swing it in, but left is no good. That’s just fine to five. And now Morawa with a little wind assist over his right shoulder. Thread the needle between the bunkers. And that’s what he’s done. Now at the third off the left to Shambo also hurting a little bit. T- shots on the range were just high draws. Fine. Managed to carry that one, but that’s a huge carry down the right side. Seemed in good spirits heading to the range this morning. He picked that tea up like he thought it was going in the fairway. Frank, you can still move it from down there. the rough not overly long this week despite the rain. Now hoblin, this is the guy you wonder which victor shows up today. The guy that won or the guy who has missed multiple cuts this year. All the work he’s putting in on his swing. Trying not to miss to the right. always plays with the slightly closed feet with the driver. Swing slightly over the top. Nothing wrong with that. Good T- shots around 25 yds in width to 18. And we’re going to catch up with our leader on his final hole, Ryan Gerard. Doesn’t look like he’s got lip issues there. Oh, he did. My goodness. He smoked that right into the lip in front of him. That must have been caught thin. A little nervy to finish here at 17 and 18. This didn’t even come close to getting over. Look at that. Take the nerves away. and 17 and 18 will claim a lot of victims anyway. Brutal stretch and 16 of course factored into that as well. We’re back at the fourth and cold. How’s it looking for Oberg? Not good. He’s looking for a ruling here to see if the grand stand is in his way. But Andrew, he went first and he is definitely the longest of these three players. He went with seven iron. The other two went with eight iron. So I think he got a little tricked by the wind. Just his second PGA Championship. He missed the cut in his debut a year ago at Valhalla. actually took a scouting trip up here last week before Philly. Got a good look at the golf course. Said it was playing very similar a week ago. It’s a course really that you think would suit him, Colt. But to be fair, he’s so gifted. Pretty much every golf course out there suits him. I was going to say, show me a course that doesn’t. When you hit it high and far and got a good short game, you can pretty much take it anywhere. This is going to test him here, though. He’s got to go way up in the air with this one. just never flew it far enough. And a lengthy putt left for par for the 25year-old from Sweden. Up to 18. And Gerard still has to play his third from at least 80 yardds out. It says 89 on my computer. trick here. He’s got that little ridge that bicts the screen. So about seven yards between the ridge and the hole location. He’s going to have to make the decision if he wants to flight one down and skip it over the ridge or fly it over with a lot of spin. Yes, [Music] ag I agree. Yeah, I just won. I don’t believe you should. You got it. Steve Hail been out here a long time. In fact, won a PGA championship on the bag with Keegan in Atlanta 2011 trying to steer him in with a par. Come on back now. Just settles. He began playing at the age of two. His father was a collegiate golfer at Florida Atlantic University. Then played the mini tours back in the 80s. And Ryan says, “I’ve been playing golf as soon as I learned how to walk.” Got that passion from his father. And what a splash he’s making in his maiden voyage in a PGA championship. Yeah, absolutely. His lowest round ever in a tournament before this week was 72 here at Quail Hollow. So, he’s besting that by quite some distance today. Let’s go back out to four and the long birdie putt for speed. Won’t find many better from this distance out here in professional golf. And once again, his speed is perfect. tied for 34th a week ago at the truest in Philadelphia to three. Windham Clark who’s already won around this golf course. Still a good start. One under through the first three. Three stout par fours. Start your round off here at Quail Hollow. as we go to five. And no bargain for Justin Thomas. Already three over through the first four holes. No bargain at all with the feet above the ball. Lip in front. That should not create any issue with good strikes. This is nine iron in hand. Don’t miss the short right. Yeah, something out towards the tower would be ideal every day on a good line but flat and just off the back. Shouldn’t be too difficult from there. Huge part of the round here for JT needs to get that up and down and wait for seven and eight to three. Hoblin’s second shot on the year. That was with eight iron. Oh, right at it. Gets it on the right level. So maybe we’re going to see that sort of Victor Hovly tree line forward. Very straight hold. Elevation change, but yes, very straight. Yeah, super any wind out there, Doy. What wind is here is into the players and cipher from the left? Gary had a very, I would say, light-hearted with a lot of positive nods warm-up with Brandy Smith this morning. It was very impressive. This is another eight iron Frank. not afraid to hit a draw with the irons. And another excellent shot. He worked a lot on the range this morning. Just keeping the pace of the swing down. Very even. slow the tempo to four and let’s see if Oberg can save par. Actually coming back up the hill here and moving hard to his left and the poor T-shot will cost him a shot here at the par three. Frustrating tap in for Oberg. Now at the sixth, here is Max Homer and he’s got a birdie chance to get to two under. Stay up. Oh, so close. My goodness. How much did that turn in the last three ft? [Applause] Now back at the fourth. Patrick Reed, who finished third at Augusta last month, has this putt for birdie. He feasts on left hole locations. No surprise there. Andrew capitalizes off the good T- shot and back to even through his first four. Up to 18. All right, Gerard stepping in for this putt for par that would give him 65 if he holds it. That was a good pot, too. It was. So, shots dropped at 17 and 18. Still going to be enough for the lead by one once he taps that in. You said he started playing golf at the age of two. That’s not all he’s good at. He plays the piano and the violin as well. At the very end, Bryson, he was surprised that this ball was not in the fairway. That’s pitching wedge and that needs to get down. Drive pitching wedge. to solve 488 yds. Too much club. That’ll test the short game. Victor and Bryson, they were paired together in the PJ PJ Championship final two rounds. Trevor, he can uh pack a big punch out of this thick stuff. He sure can. And it’s always a guessing game. Not quite sure if it’s going to come out soft or come out hot. And that one got away from him to five. Third shot for Justin Thomas. Exquisite touch, but it’s downhill after the hole, Jim. And that’s what I was saying. Five and then six, the tough par three. Needs to get away with some paws there before he gets the scorable holes. Cameron Young climbing up the hill to the 14th T, the drivable par4. playing with Aaron Ry who won up in Greensboro in August and Joey Highmith recent winner on tour. T5G on 14 powered by 5G solutions from T-Mobile for business is elevating the viewing experience leveraging T-Mobile’s 5G to deliver a re-imagined T-Box using augmented reality and AI to enhance the analytics of the golfers and the 14th hole. Cameron Young is on the tea. T-shot plays a little down the hill. Got 303 to the front. Looks like the mini driver there. Dangerous. Very aggressive but safe. Yeah, that thick cutter rough saved him. just on their right side. Joe Highmith is next. So far today, we’ve had 14 players knock it on the surface. That was interesting footwork there. I’m going that thing, dude. way up on the hillside. Yeah, he’s going to need to be careful cuz beyond the hole, it runs straight down the hill. It’s nice that Patrick Rogers, Nick Taylor, and Deep Burmeister let him hit up. Let’s go to three. Bryson’s third. 18 yds to the Green’s edge and everything running away from him. Frank that’s going to run down that bank. So despite all the rain, more than 4 in over the last couple of days, these greens are still firm and as we’ve been told, championship speed, so they don’t lack for pace to four. Hideki Matsuyama on the tea. Much like speed aiming right, trying to work the draw. Good line here. Oh yes, Matsuyama. on the season opening event in Hawaii. He’s got a birdie putt coming at the fourth. Meanwhile, here at the sixth, Adam Scott for birdie. Is it going to stay up? Yes, it is. Scott is all smiles. That’s just the third birdie at the long par three today. Six top 10 finishes in the PGA Championship for Adam Scott as we go to three. Lengthy power part for Bryson in total damage control mode right now. Let’s take two from here. Very difficult to uh make a early double. Managed that really well. Little bit of meat left on the bone. Enough holes here. Big par fours. You got to grind if you’re out of position. Ahead to five. And this for par. Just on the left hand edge up the hill. Can be aggressive. Green so pure this week. Well done. when he won here the PGA in 1997 at Quali made 20 birdies for the week. Still looking for one right now. 2017 that was stand corrected here at 18. Gerard taps it in for the final stroke in a round of 66. [Music] over There he is coming in to sign the score of 66. The best round of the day so far. Ryan Gerard. PGA Junior League is bringing friends, families, and communities together through golf, all with expert PGA and LPGA coaching. You can find a team near you at PGA Juniorleague.com. And by the way, he was an exceptional junior golfer was Ryan Gerard, two-time junior all-American in 2016 and 17. Let’s go out to the third. And Victor after a par pass start is now one under after that great approach shot at third. He was in that battle last year. Valhalla we finished third in the end as we go to four. You saw the T- shot for Matsuyama. This for birdie. Well done for Hideki. One under par for Matsuyama as he makes his way over to the fifth to three. Grind mode for Dashambo. Well done. Out of position only drops one shot and she finished second last year. pulled to the sixth and the slightly downhill T- shot for Justin Thomas and slightly into the wind and that’s a flared out for Ryan limping up to the green. Anything on the green here really is good. Just 38% of the players hitting this green in regulation at six today to five. And Jordan’s speed at one over par. 138 coming up the hill trying to smash a gap wedge. That’s asking a lot. Well, it’s the ninth time he’s attempting to do exactly what Rory was able to finish off at Augusta, the career grand slam. Here are his finishes. He’s made the cut in every single attempt. This is the only leg missing is the PGA Championship. Yeah. and coming in here in better form. T4 at Byron Nelson a couple weeks ago at 14. Cameron Young Tan got away with it. That one he expected more. Two so shots in a row there to four. And here’s Victor Havlin. Wind from the right. That’s seven iron. That was the right club for Hoblin. He’ll have a chance for birdie. Backto back beautiful iron swings. Victa to five. And Luvik has also won over par. He warmed up next to Patrick Reed and Patrick said, “Man, even your warm-ups are fast.” Trevor, I said it doesn’t take long when all you have to do is press on. That’s exactly right. He flicked that switch. He’s like a machine. This guy, my favorite swing in the game right now. Just 25 years old. Sky is the limit for that kid to four. Let’s see if Bryson can bounce back after the bogey at three. All in with a nine iron. Andrew. Wow. God, Victor just hit the seven. And it’s too much. And this is what’s going to be interesting for me. Andrew, remember the Masters how he was struggling with distance control with the irons? We’ve already seen it here at three and four. Talked about that in his press conference this week. Travers, we take you to 15. JJ Spawn. Well played. One of my favorite characters on tour. Great sense of humor. A nice dry day in Charlotte, North Carolina. Exactly what we needed here at the 107th PGA Championship. [Music] We’re back at the fifth hole. Jordan Speed trying to get back to even early in his round. He’s got to smash this one up the hill, breaking to his right. Oh, he flushed it, Trevor. Actually a good looking putt right there. saw him putting in a ton of work with Cameron McCormack on putting green yesterday to four. Dy, how’s the lie for Bryson? It’s quite good and steadily up the hill from there. It’s really good. Almost holds it. No reason not to try from that position. playing to the crowd [Applause] and he’ll have to tap in for his par as we go to five and now Oberg for birdie opposite side of the hole and extremely fast and extremely good. Luke Vic back to even par at six and the second for Thomas at the par three. That’s a love shot off a downhill line. Not easy. The tough day continues as Mark Thomas that for par. Not hit a green in regulation either, Andrew. Let’s check in at the action at the 12th. Yes, Tyler Colette is an assistant pro at John’s Island Golf Club. Look at that in Barrow Beach, Florida. And his membership is loving that action. Little P save 16. Long long powerful. JJ Spawn can’t really cover that bunker on the right. This whole is actually longer than the seventh the par five today. So still be a lengthy second for JJ having a great season and of course 16 famous here because it’s the start of the green mile the toughest stretch normally on the PJ tour. So we expect the same this week 107th playing in the PGA championship and currently all averaging over par. Ryan Gerard, sensational round of 66, five under. And he’s with Marty. Ryan Gerard, Tarheel, born, Tarhill bred. A fantastic first round here. Cart of 66 in your PGA Championship debut. What was your experience out there today? Uh, it was a lot of fun, you know, playing golf in my home state at a major championship. You know, that’s always been kind of a bucket list thing. and to go out there and play really solid for 16 holes and still uh still make some very positive uh shots out there today. So, I’m I’m pretty happy with everything and uh yeah, we’re just looking forward to the rest of the week even more. I don’t remember anything from when I was seven years old. I wonder if you do the first PGA Tour event you ever went came to as a fan right here at Quail Hollow. What do you remember from that day? Uh, I remember it was uh VJ and Tiger Woods playing uh final group and uh VJ hold out on 14 for Eagle. That’s kind of the only thing I remember but I was definitely here. So, and you kept a notebook uh allegedly. I don’t remember that. Oh, you don’t remember that part? That’s maybe urban legend from my parents, but yeah, that sounds about right. It’s good for the story though. Great effort today, Ryan. Thank you. Thanks for having more. and his parents Bob and mother Judy. A lot of folks proud of this round today. Wasn’t happy with the way he finished, but got to find some solace in knowing that going through 17 and 18 unscathed is actually pretty rare. It sure is. This was at the second hole. Trev whole location cut tight to the right there. There’s a ridge that falls off. So that is just spectacular. controlling the spin beautifully now at 11 down the hill. That got him to three under par. There was more to come. Okay, 10 that one at 11 then at 12. And this whole location extremely difficult on that back plateau. But his distance control with the irons was dialed today. made that putt and then the par three 13th looking for four in a row. Man, this iron play is sensational. Yeah, kind of a throwback swing with the low lead arm plane at the par five 15th his third. Watch out flag stick the eagle to raise the bar to seven under bogey 17 and 18 but fine round best of the day so far 66 one better than four rounds of 67 that are already posted by the likes of Luke Donald Ryan Fox Alex Smallley and Steven Jagger Work 14 with Cameron Young for birdie. It’s not been exactly the way you want to play this hole, but he should get out of there with a par. Patrick Reed, meanwhile, is at the fifth eyeing a pretty putt. And you make two in a row. Putts are dropping at the fifth. We saw Oper. Now we see Reed. He was a contender here in 2017. He finished in a tie for second. Two shots behind the winner Justin Thomas. Over at four. Havlin trying to make it backto back. Birdies. runs that one past, but Victor taps in for par and still one under on his round through the first four holes. Now over at the par 36, Justin Thomas trying to save par. Mark, he could desperately use this uphill. Oh, right around it. This is a disastrous start here for JT. Seven. Lucas Glover at the par five. Second easiest hole hole of the day. Excellent. Good start for Glover. Back to five. Tom Kim had a great President’s Cup performance for your team, Trevor. Yeah, for sure. He was the heartbeat of our team. Brought a ton of energy and hit shots like that. Currently 41st in the World Golf Rankings. Hasn’t had his best season. Needs to pick things up a little at 16. Spawn did not reach the bunker. 220 yds left. Does play a little downhill. Need all the help he can get. And that is brilliant. Big power four. Two good shots from JJ that to go to five under first round. We go to six. And here’s Oberg on the T. This wind has been really tricky so far today. Andrew off the left but can’t figure out if it’s hurting or helping. Oh, he figured it out. Let it stay up there. Yes, it will. Only three birdies at the sixth hole today. Oberg will have a chance to add to that total as we go to 13. Jojo Klette here at 13. Slightly uphill. He’s turning towards the flag. Oh, that green is firm. This is great. In you go. [Applause] Tyler collap. Great shot. The shot was better than the high five. I think they just whiffed it. Oh, that was so close. Trevor to going in. What an amazing shot. Grabbed nicely on the second bounce and caught a decent piece of the hole. He’s the assistant professional. John Owens club, Vero Beach. And it so easily could have gone in. Make this championship even memorable for him. Six. And here’s Jordan Sp. The Irons have been the problem so far this year. This one sounded very nice and looks very nice. Just to the back of the green there for Jordan. It’s 2-1 with shots from humano at six to five. Um Kim with a birdie. Need to switch to the claw putting grip. That has been his issue this season, but off to a nice start. Here’s a look at our Corebridge Financial team leaderboard. Michael Block afternoon starting time. He’s even through eight. He certainly made his presence felt to kill a few years ago all the way to Sunday in a top 15 finish tied with Brandon Bingaman who’s just getting things started. I tell you, Colette just a moment ago at the 13th with one of the shots of the day that might hold up as the best shot of the day. could have gone. [Applause] Look at this. Look at this. Look at this. Look at this part. Look at this. Look at this. Beautiful performance by the TGA champion. It’s wonderful. There’s your champion. There’s your first round leaderboard with Ryan Gerard at the head of the class with a round of 66. Luke Donald, former number one ranked player in the world and now the brilliant Rder Cup captain for team Europe’s going to have it that role for the second time coming up later this year. One of those just won off the lead. worth the sixth. And here’s Patrick Reed. Has always been one of the best chippers of the golf ball in the game. That’s easy work for him. Nicely played by Reed as we go to five. And Bryson, that’s gap wedge on the way. And that needs to go. distance control problems are continuing to plague him. Same as at the Gusta. Yeah, his approach play there really did cost him time and time again as it has here. We’re over at seven. The par five, Adam Scott comfortably reached it in two. [Music] We’re in the second eagle here. Only the other Eagle, Alex Smallley, the last man in the Eagle earlier in the day. Back to six. And speed has to be careful with this one, Colt. Oh, does he ever. This one is crazy fast. Just gets it going. Just comes up a little bit short. Six continues to yield a lot of pars. Only three birdies at this hole all day to 16. So the second shot for JJ. So a little downhill, nothing to be too concerned about. Four in a row. Great players championship lost in that playoff with Rory Maroy. Shot he’d love to all over again. 17 straight over the flag. Find the green. Great season though to five. Yeah, he’s off to a great start too. Here is Bryson. Ball well back in his stance. Squared up club face. stopped at technique looked pretty good but just didn’t get the contact he wanted there and coming up that little false edge not even close bit of a weird period in this round for Damber to six let’s see if Oberg can make a birdie here at the sixth a good look but Andrew I think all these guys would take 16 pars on these par threes this week yeah this is the longest of the par threes 249 9 on the card. Today’s hole location makes it play 241 as we go to seven. Thomas’s second shot. Wind in 250 carries. That’s come out low and not very much on it. Frank disastrous start for Thomas. Already four over through the first six to five. Victor Havlin. This will have a little speed and a big turn to the right. [Music] Yeah, it’s a good touch. You got to be really patient. These green complexes at Quail Hollow, they’re just going to get firmer and faster as this week goes on. Dustin Johnson his his shot at seventh. A little clip with a lower flighted niner left hole location. Handsome [Applause] stays on the top tier. Well, there is Tyler Collet after that tap in Bernie. That was nearly an ace over at 13. He got into this field by running away with the PGA Professional Championship by a record 10 shots to lead 20 club pros as qualifiers for this PGA Championship. Again, playing with Richard Bland and Jimmy Walker. Coming up on the T5G on 14 powered by 5G solutions from T-Mobile for business. It’s elevating the viewing experience. And this is his fourth PGA championship. Has never made the weekend. Some of these groups have been uh gracious enough to let the players hit up. Yeah, it’s a part of the golf course where there can be a little bottle bottleneck because you’ve got the drivable par four and then you have the reachable par five at 15. Let’s go up to the green live. Rasmus near guard Peterson has this for eagle knocks it on. It runs out to the back of the green now heading back to the tee. That was a good pot. Be a slow start for him as well. 25-year-old Denmark resides in Copenhagen. They’re not going to let him hit up while they wait. We’ll go back to five. And Bryson to that stubby chip has this for par. rocks the shoulders and drops the goods. Good saves at the last two holes. Hanging in there. Back over to seven now. The fourth shot for Thomas. and having real issues picking this wind. Bouncing all over the show down in this valley. Needs some of that wedge mastery. Frank and go past, spin it back or just go right at it. So took the penalty drop back in line. So that for a par upcoming nearly one last one Philadelphia this is what it looks like all the way back at the T speed difficult T- shot here this one headed up the right this could be trouble oh oh hit a rock not sure where that came down fired it up about 100 ft in the air and backwards I don’t think it helped the Frank. No, it’s literally backwards. It is a red penalty error down that side. But how about JJ Spawn here at the difficult par 317th? Giving it a lot of room. Finchi, is it turning enough? Four under par. He doesn’t want to go left to this pin. whole location 30 yards on, seven from the left. But if that settles slightly on the down slope, it’s not an easy chip from there. Yeah, I saw a bunch of guys putting from down in there in practice. Long wait over here at 14, Jimmy. Here’s why. Yeah, got to get the bunkers back to perfection after we’ve watched call it these last two holes. He’s taking on a starring role this opening Thursday. Who knows? Expecting him to knock this on the green. We got a small army of people fixing that bunker there. He was the 2022 and 2023 South Florida PGA Player of the Year. Meanwhile, the group behind them is pretty close to finishing things out on the 13th green. Maybe they hurry up and putt out. We can play a sixim. You’d think with four or five of them cleaning up that bunker. It would be quick work. Well, we did that one year at Valhalla 2014. Remember the 72nd hole? That’s right. With a storm coming. That’s right. Storm coming. The light fading and Rory was able to prevail at sunset. They might be fixing up where that turtle was having trouble getting out yesterday. All right, Brad. Well, Jim, you see some work done to the bunker there. It’s uh uh a little unusual, but we had some turtles come out of the lake there and uh do some damage to the uh to the bunker. So, they’re uh we have a crew in there cleaning it up, and that’s the reason for the delay. I love how they use the roller there. That’s to get those faces nice and firm so the balls don’t plug in the face. They’ll kick up and then roll back down into the middle of the bunker. I was a little afraid to bring in Brad. I didn’t want to stick my neck out on that one. Wasn’t sure if it was the turtles or something else. Good run, Jim. I actually witnessed that yesterday. Big turtle was having the same problem. Here he is. Look at our guy. He likes the beach. I mean, who doesn’t like the beach? He’s the troublemaker, though. That’s right. We got got our eye on you, buddy. Yeah, he thought the pace of play was too fast. Yeah, that turtle’s nickname is speedy, by the way. Frank, you think it would bother you hitting the shot with all those lights in your peripheral vision? Uh, yeah, the strobe lights and that always um causes a few issues. I want to see Tyler deliver another fantastic memory. He’s backing off a bit. His a little murmur down on the green below. Winder is is helping and a little out of the lift. This is the seventh, if you will, tour event he’s played in. He’s made the cut down at the Puerto Rico Open back in 24. after a long time to think about it. Go. Okay. Soft bounce. Not able to take advantage of those strong downwind conditions, but we’re at 15 now. And here is Cameron Young for birdie. started at the 10th hole and he picks up another shot at the par five. So two under as he makes his way to the green mile to seven and Karakawa from the top edge here at seven but it is for Eagle. This opening salvo of holes just feels hard. Birdie’s in short supply. Frank, he’ll take that that to get back to one over though. So, he also got off to a little bit of a tough start. Cross to 15. And here’s Aaron Ry to try to get to three under. And a hot start for Ry. Started on the 10th hole and he’s already three under. just his third PGA championship start to nine. And Michael Block for par to shoot 35 on this side. Oh. So, one birdie at eight, two bogeies on his first nine. look very comfortable out here and many memories including in Rochester two years ago. Final round he’s playing with Rory and he dunked it. We wasn’t even sure at first where this had landed. Finally a tip of the cap after he was assured that that had gone in. Then he had one of the great up and downs at 18. Pitched it over a bunker, made the putt to finish top 15 again in last year’s tournament. But here it is again. And I know Trev, you’ve been a great admirer of Michael Blocks for a long time. That sequence went viral when he kept asking Rory, “Rory, did it go in? Where is it? Where is it, Rory? It’s a one, Michael.” He says, “Come on.” No. No. One of 20 club professionals at that PGA and one low club professional. and got the exemption into last year’s PGA at Valhalla by virtue of that tied for 15th finish. Maybe he’ll have another little block party this week in Charlotte, Trev, I know you love to see it. Maybe he’s going to 10 the par five doesn’t quite have the power to get up in two, but maybe another birdie. Yep. Okay, taps in one over going out. That’s certainly not bad. Nothing to be ashamed of as we go back out to 17. Yeah, too much between he and the hole to use the putter. Has to pitch it. Oh, got a lot of grab there from that line. Well played. Almost too good on the strike there. I couldn’t believe that grabbed that quickly and I’m sure he couldn’t. So difficult there with water on the other side. Firm fast greens. Now it’s seven. Long effort for birdie for Dustin Johnson. Downhill for the first portion of the journey. Then flattens off some. Already has a masters US Open. US Open at Oakmont this year where he won it. Sure. He’s looking forward to that. And Terrell Hatton here at the short eighth. We’ve already seen 30 birdies here today. [Applause] and Turtle in there to about three feet. That was a KYG little shot. Yeah, I love that these approaches are so tight and in such great condition. It gives the players options to be able to bump it or fly it. Now, Justin Thomas. Oh, finally. That was so high. 44 over. Desperate need of that cup tomorrow evening is 70 and tires eight. Now Adam Scott, he’s having a good round. That feed back from there. Don’t go a little bit too far. Oh, here it comes. So Adam’s got a good chance to get it to three under par here as well. Good start for Adam. Just the one major to his credit, but still has the game to win more. As we go to six and Victor Hoblin, wind not helping. Four iron flag cut on the right. This is moving right and all the way to the back for Havland to seven and speed. We presume this is his third. He did take a drop. Frank 239 4 iron four that water right no surprise this is well left army golf down this right off the tea left there so still up and down maybe save par way though 17 all right big part here now for JJ four under started on the second nine. Pretty popular choice of putter these days. We see a lot of those out here. First bogey of the day for JJ and it won’t be the last we see here at 17. 227 yds. Just a brute and another brute here at 18. And Cam Davis is a couple under par. Beautiful line. Mhm. Unble to launch those mid irons up into the air. Stops it quick enough. Back to eight. This is for three in a row for Adam. [Music] Absolutely beautiful. Three under through eight holes for Adam Scott. Three in a row. Nice to see him holding some putts. That’s six. And last year’s runner up to Shambo. Not a typo, Andrew. That’s sixiron. And it starts on a lovely line. Is it going to get up that false front? Will it stay? No, not enough for Bryson. I know golf’s not supposed to be fair, but you kind of feel like that shot deserved a little better. 27 Ludvik second. 221 left. Wind off the right trying to hold a sevenwood. He might have held this too much. Lucky devil. That’s good. Now, a lot of players putting five and seven woods in this week because of the rain and some of these approach shots over water. Some nine woods, too. I was surprised to see actually looking at this Tur goes two birdies in a row to get to two under. The Ninewood’s the same loft as a five hybrid. It’s 24° and the 21 degrees is a sevenwood. We see the woods and the hybrids. You notice they always have the numbers on the hybrids but not necessarily on the fairway woods, but we’re starting to do that now. We head over to 14. Here’s Collard. Lands it in Fringe and that will run out just a bit, but just inside 5T for another birdie. Cam Davis is at 18 after a wonderful approach. His ninth hole of the day produces a birdie. 18 playing as the third hardest hole today. So a three is tremendous. Hey, it’s been a tough day for some of the stars in the game. Fans are looking for them up on the leaderboard, but it’s a 72-hole championship and it’s a good one at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte. [Music] It’s the first day of a major. Everyone still believes the crackle in the air is born of that hope. All these players somewhere inside have laid out some scenario that ends with them holding the watermelon. [Applause] [Music] Well, if you’re just joining us, Masters champion Rory Mroy began this PGA at 8:22 this morning and he shot at three over par 74, which is currently tied for 123rd. Yeah, Brooks Kepka with a four over 75 as well. Let’s go a seven. Fourth shot by Speed and it’s an absolute beauty, Frank. That’s incredible. 5 ft further and it runs all the way down to the bottom level. That’ll be a five too. Must covered about 800 yds to play that hole as we go to six. And the second for Bryson. Third straight. Green. He’s missed. Every one of them have uphill pitches at least the last the last three. That’s going to be a tricky putt down the hill there though. We just saw speed how delicate he was down the hill at the sixth to seven. Chance for Eagle now. So Lick, anything inside of 5T from here would be really good. Up the hill the whole way then runs downhill after it. Good effort. Got a bogey at four. Birdie at five. So nearly give him that and Justin Thomas from the right side. Heavy rough tilted green. Hardly easy. This could be useful. Yeah. Mark trying to use that slope. Beautifully done for JT. Genius around the greens. So many shots available at six. And Hobland to be a little bit careful here past the hole. It could run away. Got to think that was in the back of his mind. Yeah. So, couple big par putts coming up here at the par three as we go to 14. Call it for me, Trevor. Calling for it to go in. You called it. That’s a birdie for the PGA professional out of Florida. He’s put on so here, hasn’t he? Yeah. Back to back. John’s Island Club. Let’s go to 18. JJ’s fun. Isn’t that pretty? A lot of folks love to have that T-shot this weekend. afternoon at about 6:50 exactly. Ryan Gerard is our leader. He hails from Raleigh, North Carolina. Lives now down in Florida. This is his PGA Championship debut. His only third major competing in his third major after a pair of US Open showings in 22 and 23. Luke Donald at 47, captain of the European Rder Cup team, the only bogey free round in the morning wave. And again, he struck the very first shot of the championship. First off, number one at 7 a.m. this morning. The Green Mile scoring to par. You can see it. Those last three holes 92 over the morning set. Let’s go to the green mile at 16 now. Jim, another player struggling here. Third shot for Aaron. Firm green. Oh, look out. Yes. And he knows that would have been passed too by the Englishman. And that is a superb start, too. Just flipped that one around there. Of course, that was an overseated rye around these greens. Cross to seven. Birdie put now for nicely knocked in. Red Figus to six and Hoblin for Par right touch there from Victor and they may might help Bryson as well getting a little look at how that ball reacted. Good call Trevor as we go to eight and Colin Moraua invertied seven just to get back to even for the day almost exactly the same as Adam Scott’s second and put he’s gone back to that blade putter like the stroke much more than when he uses the mallet quick one DY yeah we will see what he learned from Victor front edge well He’s a scrambling man right now. Andrew actually missed four in a row to seven. Speaking of a scrambling man, Spith looked at the hole. Old world five. That one Beris would be very proud of that. Great. JT needs to get something positive going. Mark, that’s a start. Big save back in the par five, too. And that’s turned the train in the right direction. Three over through eight though for Justin. One of the favorites. Kind of like Rory Maroy this week. We thought he’d be right there. As we head up to nine, Adam Scott is playing well, Trevor. Making his 95th consecutive major championship start. and he is playing a great round of golf right now. He’s got the record for consecutive starts. Active streak right now at that 95 mark. Jordan speed second most. This is his 48th active start in the major. JJ Spawn at 18. Okay, hole high for JJ. He’s three under his first nine holes. There’s the uptown area as they call it here in Charlotte, the beautiful city. Ryan Gerard, our leader, round one. [Music] [Music] Aerial coverage provided by Goodyear, where champions are made still always forever. We’re back at nine and Adam Scott trying to continue this streak for birdie. Always left. Looked like it’s a little bit of a misread there. Starting it down the left hand side and it actually went that way. Let’s go to eight and Patrick Reed. Great T- shot. Pretty straightforward here, but that took a massive first bounce. Here it comes though. [Applause] Trying to use that little back stop. Very well played with a short game master. Here’s Cam Davis at the first after birding the 18th hole. Wow. It’s pretty significant backto-back birdie stretch. We take 18 and one. Absolutely. That first doll playing about a third of a stroke over par today. So to be able to birdie 18 and then one. Wow. Losing two. could tie for second. One off the lead. We’re at 17. And Aaron Wright, familiar little drill there, trying to take that club back square to the line a little longer. How would you see this, Ian? Would you like to take it down the left and fade it away from the water or start right and draw it back? Well, back in the day when I could play the game, well, I’d aim it down the left and cut it in so it was fading away from the water. These days, I’d aim it at the stands on the right and hopefully hit it over the water and right of the water. It’s good analysis. No, but it’s it’s definitely a draw into that left pin like he’s doing here. Okay, let’s see how big of a bounce it takes. [Applause] Absolutely perfect. Try and bring it into the shape to the left hole location or the right you’d go the other way. But you know that water is always looming, isn’t it? Up to 18. All right, JJ Spawn drove it in the fairway, which is not a regular occurrence on this 18th hole. Approach shot hole high and now steadying himself and studying the line. Not too much of a complicated read here. Just breaking from left to right the whole way down there. little weak. Still that’s going to be a 300 par side for him and he’ll flip over to the first. That 18th hole has had nine birdies but eight double bogeies. So almost just as likely to strike gold as you are disaster. You can see hole 7 through 15. That’s the scoring stretch there. 58 under is the field. One through six. No bargain. But the last three holes, it is tough. It’s good. Eight. Speaking of short game wizardry, here’s Jordan. Who would you rather have to get it up and down for you, Ian? Him or Patrick Reed? Oh wow. I’m going Jordan. They are both special around the greens. They are. Uh exquisite. As good as it gets. Ahead one. More power. That’s Ninewood bringing it in high from left to right. There’s a little shoulder there that he can feed it off of. How good is that shot? Mhm. That ninth hole just a beast with that new T at 531 yards today. Oh my goodness. Look at this at eight. Has to avoid the tree. Maybe get a little bump and run here. Bounce it up. We walked by and he said, “Hey, can you move that tree? Not too bad. He had nothing. He’ll accept that.” Didn’t want to go long and leave himself that downhill or over the ridge. at nine again. Justin Thomas Palmer there with five iron gymnold of course very close to the Harris family and had a very important role at the beginning of this course which was constructed back in 1961. at the fifth. Brian Harmon. Brian Harmon from Uptown. Back at eight. Well, for an outside birdie chance, Ludvik breaks really hard to his right. Has to give it enough speed. just hit it through the break. Yeah, there’s not many birdie holes out here, but you’d certainly consider this one and 14 the two short fours as a couple of those opportunities as we head back to five. Here’s Justin Rose. We just saw Brian Harmon make one from about the same distance on the front of the green. Can’t have two in the same group, can we? Possibly. What is going on out there? That is two bombs made out of that bomb. Hopefully that gets him going. We’re so close to winning at Augusta. And Bryson is looking for a ruling over the seventh hole. Now back at the eighth with Jordan this first birdie of the day. Great up and down. So Jordan speed heads to the difficult ninth at even par. Can he complete the grand slam here by winning the PGA championship? Will be the first to do so in winning the PGA as his fourth. [Music] We return to the ninth with the third shot of Justin Thomas getting a lot of practice green side. Only one green in regulation. That not his best. Probably about a five and a half out of 10 there for somebody with his skill level around the greens. At seven, Victor is going to go his second. Like a lot of players, seven wood in the bag. And this is it. This didn’t quite cut back this little over the top move that Victor has. And when it’s dialed in, he hits it so straight. pole you have to take advantage of. Doy, we’ve got a little bit of a wait over here on the left with Bryson. The question was, Frank, is what would happen if he were to move the gallery rope and the ball move? So, he wanted to make sure the official was here when he in fact did that. Make sure the golf ball did not move and didn’t have to go into that process. That’s doing the right thing having another pair of eyes. A dean judging by that that it did move a little. He’s trying to replace it. It’s like playing pickup sticks in this uh pine straw. Okay, ball in play. 208 to the hole. Tree in front. Water short and right. Some sort of pitch out. Dy, he has an option left and an option right, but his guid line has been looking right and trying to play a hook the entire time. line. Hook brings that water into play immediately. It certainly does, but he lost Hook. He has to keep it underneath those limbs. You think he can get enough on it to get it all the way to the green? I’m not quite sure about that. Going to roll the dice. Yeah. And be aware of uh slippery underfoot. Yeah. with all those pine needles as well. You better get clean strike if you want to curve the ball. No, just a chip out. All right. Well done. No problem. Got us all a little excited there. I thought it was I know. Go for it. Go for it. Not very often you see him lay up tonight. Morawa after that splendid shot in here to soar over the trees to the action at four and Takumi Kaya just off the green. You bet. Played very well a couple of weeks ago at the CJ Cup. Byron Nelson finished in the tie for fifth and a birdie here at the par three fourth today to nine and this is for par. What a mighty struggle it was for that opening nine holes. Many people’s favorite at the start of the week, including mine did not see this coming. We’ve seen players shoot four over the first night of a major, still win. Thinking of Tiger Woods by a lot. Yes. 17 and for four in a row. Repelled, but still four under through 17. Beautiful effort there. Five under the lead. Just one back. Starting at the 10th, of course, 2T start today. 156 players over the late to 14. John in the Vegas has arrived on the team bringing out driver trying to knock it on this par4. Just made birdie a 13. So, he’s got a little extra pep in that swing right now. Actually had three Eagles here today and two turtles. Very well done. Have to add that to the stat sheet. Turtles spotted at 14. If you had to bet on Vegas, would you think he’d drive the green here or not? What are the odds? That breeze is starting to kick up in the last hour or so. So, on the right side, plenty of distance. Yeah, that’ll be fine there. It’ll feed down toward the middle of the bunker. Number one over at seven. Now, the third. Of course, this is the stretch you got to take make full advantage of. 7 through to 15. Yeah, correct. Yeah, exactly. 98 yds into that fresh breeze. Stance is narrowed. Ball back. [Music] Those long wedges of his still not dialed in with the distance control. The short shots. No, I agree with you. underwhelming to five Sanj Mend. [Applause] My goodness. No like Sunj in. How about that? Over an eight. Good one. Throwi even path through seven. Spin it back now. 19 majors cuts made in a row for Hideki. That’s the most 19 in a row. It’s pretty special. Has never missed a cut at the PGA. Here’s Jordan Smith at the ninth. That’s a sixiron from 220. He is not happy. I think so. Yeah, he’s made 10 consecutive cuts in the PGA Championship. Let’s go to 10. And here’s Adam Scott. He’s been working on trying to hit a little fade this week and it rolls into the left bunker. That was actually his third shot he had to punch out off the T. So he’ll have to get up and down for Par as we go to nine. Oberg was over par early in the round. Now comes here one under. hit a beautiful T- shot. 214 left this seven iron headed left. Players aren’t too thrilled with some mud on the ball, Trevor. Yeah, we had shucks almost 5 in of rain here since the weekend. Course has actually held up quite well really when you think about the amount of the water that’s fallen. A lot of the top guns off to a slow start. Scotty Shuffler though shot two under in his morning round. He’s tied for 18th. Brian Gerard is the leader. [Music] And we’re back here. Seventh hole. Hollow. Third shot for Victor Holden. A smart play with that hole cut on that tiny plateau. Surrounds are so good. Safe option too. Lot of undulation there could go wrong. You miss your mark to eight and Windham Clark to get to one under par here. This for birdie just firm up the hill pretty straight. That’s what I like to see. Set the scoring record around here when he won US Open champ. And here at the 10th, Adam Scott is getting set to hit his fourth out of the bunker. He’ll be coming to the 10th hole with that kind of power. Looking to make another birdie, but now needs to get this up and down to save. His 25th PGA Championship start. And a good shot there by Adam Scott. Has always been a great Funker player. We’ll have that to remain at three under to 14. And Vegas with a delicate touch. Oh my goodness. Almost hit the jackpot. Yes. And let’s go over to seven. Good for birdie. He’s managed to find an uphill putt from beyond the hole. Stay very still swivels [Applause] at odds at the moment tonight. hasn’t driven it great way. And Tom Kim also for birdie in this group with Matsy Armor and Windam Clark. We just saw Windham’s putt so he knows the line. Tom Kim to 200. [Applause] [Music] JJ Spawn at the first. Just so difficult. That ball’s landing on a down slope there. The green is getting firm over at nine. Jordan Trevor kind of similar to the putt the line of the putt Tom Kim made at the President’s Cup for you. Yeah, you’re right. Broken left to right substantially and then you put him out 10th, which was the right choice. He won that day. Let’s go to eight. And Hideki had a big chance to win here back in 17. And Justin Thomas won. He finished fifth. Just didn’t finish it off. All that group under power as we head to 18. Ry, this is the same bunker Gerard couldn’t quite get it out of. That strike sounded solid. Hops past the first bunker and settles just short of the second. Might be up against the collar there. Have to pitch it over the edge of that second bunker. Let’s go back to nine. Noberg got a pretty good idea from Jordan’s putt how much this breaks. Got the speed. Oh, he did get help. Ludvik to two underpar. Birdie at nine is like stealing over at second. Cam Davis coming off two birdies back to back here at the second. All right, that left for par to stay four under par. Just one [Music] back. So, coverage continues here in just a moment. But again, congrats to Ryan Gerard. His coach is Jason Bale, who’s the PGA teacher and coach of the year for 2025. What a pretty cool thing to share here at an event that is all about the PJ of [Music] America. There’s Scotty Sheffler in that pack at 200 par. We’ll send it back to Scott Vanpel, Curtis, and all the crew when we continue from Charlotte after this. [Music] On air. On air. Minus is on air. On air. On air. Billy, we hear you guys. We’re okay. Billy, all’s good. Ken on air. We got you guys. Thank you. We got you guys. Corp, how you doing? Got you, Mike. Good music. Good music. Okay, understood. I got one. I will one more on camera. Good reminder. Carp. 1 2 3 4. Yeah. Yeah. One, two, three. Yep. Ryan Gerard continues to be our leader here Thursday afternoon at Bell Hollow here in the 107th PGA Championships. first round. Next year, we look forward to being outside of Philadelphia. Boy, they put on a fun show last week. That’s a great golf town. Aranom Golf Club in the Square, Pennsylvania welcomes the best in the world and you can be part of it. You can register for tickets at pja championship.com/register. First round from Charlotte continues. We’ll see you in just a few moments at the top of the hour to continue our coverage. [Music] [Music] What a feeling to be locked into a battle with another human being in front of millions of other human beings with nowhere to hide, nobody to blame if it goes wrong. Golf is about hitting a ball. Professional golf is about [Applause] competition. Hello once again. Just past 4:00 here in Charlotte, North Carolina. 107th PGA Championships first round. The leader is a Tarheel guy born here in state of North Carolina. That’s Ryan Gerard, 25year-old and Curtis Strange. Couldn’t ask for a whole lot more than he got out of his day here on two. Well, with shots like this to one of the harder par fours on the golf course. Perfectly played on 11 pores in yet another birdie. And this is the section of the golf course when he really put his foot on the gas and started stacking together birdies. You saw one on 11 and now on 12. Difficult to get this approach right up the hill of a very wet part of the golf course, but important to note that he’s playing out of the middle of the fairway which sets up the rest of the golf course on 13. New T here at this par three and dead aim. Stuffs it in there. That is useful. this even more so. Well, this is such a delicate shot. He hits a good shot, but watch the speed once it hits the flag stick. Dead center for Eagle. Go Carolina Lina. He was bitterly disappointed to miss the US Open last summer in Pinehurst, but here he is in the state where he went to school in his third major championship and first ever PGA. really reset his expectations after a couple of back-to-back top 10s where he said that he feels like his floor is a whole lot higher, which is to say that his poor rounds are a lot better, more manageable. But this is a sparkling round of golf and he continues to set the pace alongside Curtis Strange. I’m Scott Van Pel. We’re pleased to be with Dave Fleming, Matt Barry, Andy North, John McInness, Billy Krazer, the great Ken Brown on the golf course. Michael Ees will be visiting with players when their rounds are complete. And Jeff Darlington is here as well. And we’ll get out to the play at 10. This is the third for more. Kawi, you see he’s using a wood. John McInness is there. I love this play. The hybrid gets the ball up on top of the grass. Gives you a little better touch than maybe a putter would. He won a major championship out in San Francisco at Harding Park, added an open championship since then. Here on 18, it’s Aaron Ry who is playing in his third PGA championship. Been a consistent cut maker, playing really good golf, nine of 10 coming in. He’ll drop a shot here, but still will turn in three under back to eight. And Victor Havlin second. The aggressive play at the par for eight. Havlin two under trying to find his game. And when he has it, Curtis, he’s as good as anyone. Well, he’s been looking all year long, actually the last year and a half. It did come through at Valar and Tampa earlier this year. Over to one. JJ Spawn started brilliantly. Four under, dropped a shot and will drop another here at one to eight. And if there was any player that was going to get aggressive at the eight, it was going to be Bryson Dashambo. Kind of an up and down day for him. Found the rough. [Music] That was a thick lie. He had to check the balls to see if the ball was actually embedded. And that’s a bit of a good break right there. Yeah, Billy for a minute didn’t look as if it was going to clear that bunker as we go to three. Cam Davis on this very difficult 488 yd par four. Really want to put it in the Oh, fairway. Bunkers are reachable on the right. That is short and right of the bunkers. Could be a problem. Elmoria to get the birdie just a little left or right in it. Beautiful. Taking advantage of 10. Playing underpar but just slightly on the day. Not a gimme by any stretch to eight. Okay, to shambo now for birdie Billy. Well, the first part of the putt a little downhill, then it kind of flattens out. Well, you know, it’s a good effort. I like the aggressiveness on the hole though. That’s yielded 39 birdies where he can be aggressive. You know, he doesn’t want that par over to 10 and JT and a man who could desperately need a birdie and use it right here. Beautiful white shot in here. There we go. Justin Thomas’s day started brutal fashion to double it at two and birdie here on 10 entering a stretch of holes here prior to the close which we know is so taxing. There are birdie opportunities to three. Davis playing out of this fairway bunker luckily right in the middle of the bunker. Shouldn’t have too much of a problem. Unfortunately coming up with good 30 yds short back into the wind. Soul’s just going to become more difficult as the day goes on. All right, now Victor Havlin little easy birdie putt. So Victor Havlin moves to three under two shots off the Gerard lead. Backto back birdies for Havlin at seven and eight. Our Billy Katzards hanging out with that crew. Bryson Dambo, Victor Havlin, Gary Woodland, big hitter in his own right. So, right now it is Gerard leading the way. The morning wave, the four under crowd just one shot back as we continue the first round of 107th PGA Championship from Quail Hollow. [Music] [Music] Hit the green at the PGA Championship with ESPN Bet Sports Books. Start off the tournament with $100 in bonus bets when you make your first $10 wager. Download the ESPN Bet app and sign up with promo code birdie to get started today. Some of the best players in the world. They need some birdies. [Music] Luke Big Oberg’s made a few. We go out to 10. Love this tempo. Step in. Fire. Doesn’t look like he likes it. That’s a par five you have to take advantage of if you’re going to play a good solid round. And that not his best at all. will have a challenge to stay where he is. 211 long birdie putt for Adam Scott who’s three under par. So he’s had an excellent start to his championship. A good looking putt. He’s just been real solid. Greens look like they have a really nice speed right now. Manageable speeds third at 10. short game talent on display there to three. This is third hole. Cam Davis with his third after coming well short out of the fairway bunker playing up into the hill. There’s a little ridge right there. The ball could trundle back down further away from the hole. We see the the new T here on nine. This is a 531 yard par4. Victor Havlin has played his best major championship golf in the PGA Championship. Backto back top threes. And the fairway is the start of the journey. But Curtis, it’s a long way home even if you pound one off the tea. Well, it’s 258 to the fairway. Not everybody flies at 300 in this field, but if you hit a good T- shot, still left with well over 200 yards. And there you see the second shots are all over the lot. Only four birdies here today with the flag stick back right. Only 16 has yielded fewer. Dambo, little bit of a helpy breeze. Has the firepower here. This is just m Oh, that’s Yeah. How do you beat a guy like that if he drops it in the fairway 70% of the time? Don’t want to try to two from the rough. That’s Ben on on a big dog leg left. Couple of bounces. Turns into a really nice shot. You can get in big trouble if you go left on two, but on have an excellent opportunity for birdie. Now back to Cam Davis. Cam Davis at the third for par. Best PGA finish was a T4 at Oakhill a couple years ago. And what a nice save. We see Oberg now. That’s well judged on 10. I think we’ll see a lot of that play this week. Putt it up the slope. You saw Morawa do it. Just did it with a with a wood to 11. Hey, speaking of John McGinness is out there with Colin. They looked ready. got gusted as he got over it. There it is. Is it more wind now, John? Yeah, definitely. And it is most welcome. Steamy out there, huh? Oh, this is interesting. This is just 175 yards. Let’s see how far he chokes this thing down. Interesting play here. Just put it back in your stance and chop right down on top of it. Get it scooting up the fairway. He does need to hit a little cut here to get it around the trees, which he’s done. That’s the same club that he hit from 30 ft from the hole on the last hole. Well, a little bit unlucky. Ran through the green, but well executed. And the birdie puck for speed. unable to make that birdie [Applause] but speed hanging in there. 211 Dustin Johnson found the fairway bunker. The second of those bunkers. Yeah. Just 159 in. This came out quite low. Should skip a lot. Okay. Kind of a similar position, different part of that green to Morawa. Adjusted Thomas also playing in that group. John JT coming off a birdie. See if he can build a little momentum. He’d like to make a little bit better contact with this same shot that Dustin Johnson just did. Put a little air under it with just a nine iron. I mean, it’s one you can try to work a little right to left in the air and get close to the hole. That sounded tasty, but he’s pulled it. Wait left. sits down. He’s got that bunker maybe in between his ball and the [Music] hole. Back to nine. Well, that’s a sixiron on the way from Victor. Cover the bunker easily. Just kind of rode the wind a little too much through the back side of the green and says, “Wow.” Be curious. the number in for dashambo here. I’m walking up a little bit. I’ll be there. Not in a hurry to find out. Just curious because 181, which probably translates to the wind direction. I’m going to say not a big nightmare. [Music] taking dead aim right here. Flag stick back right. Oh, that’s got plenty of air underneath it. [Music] Curtis, good shot. You were curious, Scott. That drive was 354. Oberg now for par. Ken Brown with his group throughout the afternoon. Ken from that spot the fairway. That’s not the result any of us would have anticipated. Little tricky downhill there. He drops that but drops a shot. Wedge in his hand. You’re thinking three under par is a pretty good possibility. His frustration was evident with that approach and we see the end result. There been Royan on 13. Well, what a touch that is. Who joked about him winning the B flight down there in Texas when Scotty shot 31 and Ben Roy played brilliantly. Not much you can do about that. You can’t throw a forearm at him, clipping from behind anything. Can’t play defense. No, no, four. and Cam Davis in the shortest par three here at Quail Hollow at four under. It’s a good shot below the hole. It’ll have a birdie look as we go back to one from the middle of the fairway. Beautiful look at this dog leg right the three bunkers that envelop this screen. Easy easy. There you see the back of the screen running away from these players. It’s quick from there but plenty of green to work with to four and Eric Cole. All [Applause] [Music] right, cool. [Music] Hell yeah. How about this? Perfect. looked like he hit the perfect shot to whole location left and a big hard drawing seven iron. Perfectly played. It is played the easiest of the par 3s. The only one as I said under 200 that gets you in a seven iron and it gets you a one. It also gets Cole back to even par. [Music] That’s how you do all the work in one hole. So coming off a bogey double bogey to start his back nine which is up on the front split te’s. Aaron Cole back to even. Let’s go to 11. DJ kind of up against that collar it looks like. Yeah, not too bad though. He had just enough room. That’s a good play. He’ll have that to stay at even par up to 12 tier hat. Again, this one of the toughest fairways to hit. He’s going to have to go up and under the tree. Curtis, we will see a lot of that this week. Fun to watch these guys use their imagination, their touch, their shotmaking ability and that well done. Back one to the 11th Marawa now his turn and he is up against the collar. And considering that’s pretty good shot, isn’t it John? That’s spectacular. He had his weight way on his left side. The shaft really leaning so he could get steep on it. Well done. The par three 17th. That’s Jimmy Walker, PGA champion for Birdie. And yeah, a lot of long putts made on that tough par three so far today. It’s a great two. And not just at that hole. The these greens are rolling so purely. Shane Lowry. How about this one? 68 ft for Shane Lowry. He was having a tough time with the short ones, not with the long ones. That was the longest made putt of the day. Intel. Alex Smallley on seven. 71 ft right in the middle. And then the birthday boy on 17, John Summers up and over that ridge from 65 ft [Applause] out. It’s kind of fun to watch these, isn’t it? How about Cameron Young? He started his round. This is his first putt of the day on 10 from 63 ft down the hill. [Music] [Applause] He went to the 11th and made another long one. How about that? Putts made of 60 ft or longer. There was only one total in 2017. We’ve already had four today in the second PGA Championship contested here at Quail Hollow. That’s pretty remarkable. Four 60 plus foot putts. Sometimes you don’t need a putter though, fellas. Yeah, that’s a good feeling. You don’t that the drinks here aren’t cheap at Quail Hollow. Cole’s about to find out. Over to two. JJ Spawn. He’s had a good start to his championship, but he’s been a little erratic with that putter the last few holes. That one wasn’t real close even. He was up to four under par. He’s going to drop a shot to nine. Look at this. Wide open. Take a good swing at it. Soft hands. Been pretty well judged, Curtis. Well, when he came out, that was supposedly the Achilles heel for this man, but he’s learned how to chip. I I think pitch very nice. It was, but he’s worked hard at it. No, he really has. He’s been on from under the trees left on two. You saw that cool little shot. He punched it up and ran it up onto the green and converted the birdie three at the second hole. Now Ry from behind one simple pitch back up the hill bit slower. That’s well it’s well judged and a tap in for par to four and Cam Davis for birdie in the lead. So we have a hole in one and we have a tie for the lead at five under after Cam Davis birdies the fourth taking advantage of that easiest par three and now a twoperson tie Gerard and Davis as we go to nine. This would be a big one for Bryson after a beautiful T- shot. Good solid second. Left the whole way. Yeah, whenever you make par here that’s not a bad thing. Nope. That’s a fair point. A comebacker for JJ Spawn. Oh no. So that’s a three putt from inside what 10 ft and it turns into a double bogey. So his round has gone sideways. Four under to start and four over since then. Back to Havlin. up and down from the deep stuff long and left and the card for Victor remains clean. Wonderful start. Three under par to 11. Vic, we still have the only bogey free completed round. Luke Donald DJ hit that great little chip and then missed the par putt. Well, you feel like you should make all your putts on these greens. I I’m with you. Back to 10. Tom Kim third shot. See him accelerate through. That’s racing and settle right there. 12. Adam Scott’s third shot. Curtis, we’ve seen a number of players from over there today if they get in trouble off the team. Over to 11. That’s more Kawa. So that was that turned into a really nice park for Colin. That creative little chopped down fairway metal shot from the rough and then he makes the four to 14. and Royan at the 14th hole. Very drivable par four today. Wind out of the left. This looks good. Yes, stay there. Is it going to filter all the way down on that little valley? No, it hung up. That was The next one’s going to be interesting. Putting along that ridge. Nicely done, Shambo. for his part. There are army of folks out here that are ready to roar for this guy. Just hasn’t been able to give him a reason to raise their voice just yet. One bogey and the rest pars. Not yet. As but we talked earlier 10 through 15. Get something going. This is the bogey p. Oh my goodness. I mean, the point that that John McGinness was just making is we we’re seeing so many putts go in. If you get it on the right line, they’re going in. But now, in the last few minutes, some short ones missed. And what did DJ have? Six feet for par. And that’s going to be a three putt to 10. Matyama for birdie from just whole high left. should go to his right a little bit. There we go. Good putt. That’s his longest made putt of the day. Back and forth last week in Philadelphia. Was brilliant on Saturday. Dropped a bunch of ground on Sunday. Here he is two under as is Tier Hatton here on 12. The escape shot from off the fairway. Did a nice job to get it up here on the green just to have an attempt for birdie. Hatton has that left to save par. Over to 10. Kim from the other side of 10. One of the few holes you expect to make birdie if you’re going to keep pace for the field. At least you think that yourself. And coming up a little short. Justin Thomas won here in 17 VP. He was seven under in the par fives, one under on the rest. That’s what won the tournament for him. And Adam Scott now for par at 12. He continues his bogey free round to remain at three under. Two shots off the lead. He’s got a swing that never looks like it’s going to go away as we move to five. Fifth hole. Davis can hit a good one here. That one fan and the bleachers will go bananas. Nope. As you were. There’s so many things running through my mind right now. I’m not going to say. Keep your poise. Yeah. Keep my focus. Right. We’ll see if Justin Rose can keep his poise in attack this second shot. Missed the fairway. 342 yd par four. And luckily Rosy’s not here hanging out with us. Poised for a birdie. Even par to begin his round over to 14. Seen this shot many times today at the 14th off of this downs slope out of the roof. You got to run it into this. That one is gone. Oh, look what I just found. I just turned a five into a two. He knows it. close to the hard one. Look what I just found. Kinsey lost in the playoff last week. Ryan Fox won it which got him in. He made the most of that as he is one of the group at four under. Ryan Gerard, Cam Davis, the lead at five under. Salute to the captains. McDonald, Keegan Bradley. They both played tremendous rounds of golf. This afternoon wave trying to encroach my part of the group trying to get a little bit closer as the pursuit of the water maker continues from Quail Hollow. [Music] [Music] So, I think your best rehearsals are the ones that almost that that right arm gets over left and face gets strong at the ball. You know, they don’t let you drive a car unless you take driver’s ed. And I think golf’s kind of the same way. You need to know some rules of the road right off the bat as far as how the golf ball flies and how your golf swing should work. Having a PGA coach there in the beginning of that to lay that good foundation I think is invaluable. All right, JB, come do some of that coaching. Let’s do it. There we go. Great coach is not trying to make everybody the same cuz none of us are. He understands each person’s idiosyncrasies, each person’s tendencies. And minus the differences in drivers and stuff you felt like you were swinging the driver well cuz it looked like that one would turn. Being able to coach at a PJ championship as a PJ professional is pretty special. It’s my favorite championship because it’s ours. It’s a club that I’m not sure I will feel worthy yet of being in, but I’m certainly proud to be. [Music] Well, Luke Glover had a lot of opportunity to hit balls in front teachers over the years here trying to hit a low hard hook into this 311 yd par four today. It’s got to go left. And again, we’ve seen so many shots up there to the right, especially later in the day as the wind has started blowing out of the left. And that leaves a really difficult up and in. Second for Hoblin here for the bunker on 10. Yeah, just kind of toss it down there and put it in a yard that you like. Good shot. Up and down for a birdie to 13. And Adam Scott in his 25th PGA Championship. Didn’t like it. Adam with some work to do from the far right. and it’s going to head back down, isn’t it? Uh, you said 25th straight PGA. His 98th 95th, I’m sorry, major championship. Yeah. To five and Davis for the lead. Playing beautifully. Perfect speed coming down the hill there to eight. And now Rose after that shot out of the rough. This for birdie to get to red. Was talking about it a minute ago. The short missed putts and Royan at the 14th for birdie. Back up the hill. Be aggressive with this. He put on a great performance in Dallas a couple of weeks ago to finish second to Scotty, but as he said that afterwards that there was no way anybody was beating Scotty that week. It was fun to watch the third for Bryson. Also also found that fairway bunker and actually got a lot more out of that second than I thought. That’s inside 70 yards right there. Yeah, really wet part of the fairway, Billy. Mhm. And pretty good shot, but he’s going to have a quick one coming down the hill. That it is very speedy. I’ve heard players all day long today talk about some mud on the ball at certain times in the round and frustrating for them, but that’s that’s what happens when mother nature takes over. Well, again, Keith Wood’s crew deserves so much credit. Absolutely. Uh they have been working their behinds off the men and women out here. It was so good and took about five inches of rain and still able to present this challenge, this test in Havland. I mean just I mean the short game is pretty much intact right now. Scott. And the big difference there really is that’ll be a putt where he can be more aggressive up whereas Bryson will be coming down and will have to be exactly far less aggressive here. Adam Scott hammering it up the hill. Well, that’s great pace. Difficult to do a whole lot better from down there. He seems pleased. Lucas from that rough. We’ve seen so many players. He’s done it. We landed it much shorter. Was able to control the speed going up that hill. This is as good as we’ve seen. What a play. Wy old fetcher. He made that look easy. It wasn’t. And you know, so many times these players are hitting, they don’t know where it’s going to end up. His third shot at the 12th. Colin Morawa still at one under. Second hole in a row. He’s been right up against the thicker cut. Well, Eric Cole already has one hole in one. Come on. Pretty good line. H. He likes the par threes. Good shot. That’s That’s a hard green to hit. Aaron Ry to get one back. No, but he’ll make a tap in par at two. And we’ll go back to the T at six where one of our co-leaders, Cam Davis. He’s got a pretty good track record in some big events. I I I like his game. Australian six hole today. Playing 241 yards downhill. Another really good shot right on line. Those are two of the better ones we’ve seen. I haven’t seen many shots perfectly online at six. And to remind everybody that from that’s from over 240 yards. 241. Wow. Okay, John. Justin Thomas is third at the 12th. Not a great lie. It has just not been Justin Thomas’s afternoon. Curtis, what happened here? Well, it looked like he kind of bottomed out behind the ball. Didn’t catch the ball first. You when you catch that much grass between the club face and ball, it’s just not going to go anywhere. All right. So, the work continues now. Yeah. The frustration mounts, I think, too. Yeah. Yeah. How is the temperament as you’ve walked with this group now? He’s fighting it. Checking at Bryson now. Speedy one here. Oh, it really is. And you just have to just started about I’m going to say two and a half maybe three balls outside the left edge. Beautiful. Beautiful first of the day. That is an excellent putt. Probably the hardest punt for a right-hander. Six to eight feet down the hill breaking to the right. Andy, absolutely. He We forget how good his short game is when he won the open at Wingfoot. He was absolutely the best around the greens of anybody. And he first three days at Augusta National was number one in putting. Now what would be a brilliant up and down for Adam Scott and that card remains clean. and he’ll have a chance to have a go on 14 in just a moment. 211. That’s Tom Kim. Two under par. He’s playing well. When you hit the fairway, this can be a scoring hole in the 11th. A really good line. Oh my goodness. Wow. Almost holded that one. Hey, he pushed it a little, didn’t he? A tap in birdie. Tom Kim’s going to get to three under. Now back to the 10th where Victor Hoblin looks to move to four. Yeah, he has a putt that’s going to move left. This is one of those feeder putts that you just just feed it into that line above the hole. No. Seemed to know it immediately. Seemed to get quick on that one. anxious. Well, they better be careful with this one. This next one will definitely move to the right. Curtis, you fellas think of the aim point from this distance. Hey, you just think it’s it’s it’s Andy, you look like you love it, huh? Go ahead, Andy. Let people know how you feel. [Music] Seriously, sometimes sometimes you say nothing and you say a lot. I understand. Going through the routine. Do you need to stand a foot from the hole? Apparently. So, left center. Yeah, there you go. Okay. Good opportunity, but still three on the par. See, Andy, good thing he checked it out. Oblin three underp. All right. Now Colin at the 12th. Cleans up par to stay at one under. Four shots off the lead. Over to 14. Luke the Clover for his birdie at 14 after that magnificent pitch down the hill. out away. He’s a big f fan of that handp point. Andy just says it. Well, we’re not trying to trigger Andy. We’re also trying not to trigger Justin Thomas here. He’s triggering himself. So, another lost shot for Justin Thomas. kind of steadied the ship a bit. Now he moves to four over. A frustrating day for Thomas. You need to aim point this one. I think he does [Laughter] actually. What a beautiful second shot. And Tom Kim is just two shots off the lead on this spectacular Thursday. All the rains gone. Our aerial coverage provided by Goodyear, celebrating the drive that moves you forward still, always forever. You sit here today and it’s hard to believe we had as much rain as we did. Now on the T at 11, I’m a little surprised he’s hitting driver here. He doesn’t need it. Tightens up at past 300. It kind of pinches in, but if you want to hit it that straight, you’re good. That is way over those bunkers, isn’t it? That is a seed. But he hit it 354 on Nai. That one’s got to be close on 11. Now Havlin’s turn and he’s using driver. Well, I think I mean he’s got to take it off that uh left rough line to hold the fairway, especially with the wind left to right. Yeah, just to remind all the viewers, there are seven good dog legs out here. And that’s what keeps these players off balance. Do you carry the corner? If you don’t, you’re in trouble. If you go through the hole, you’re in trouble. As we just say, see Victor, watch this beautiful golf swing of Adam Scott at the short par 414th. And this is going right at it. Maybe at that bunker track, huh? That’s not too bad. 325 right in the middle of the green. And this hole has been absolutely a riot today. We’ve seen some unbelievable shots. We’ve seen some really bad ones. It’s a beautiful little short hole. If you want to lay it up and give yourself a 60 or 70 yard shot right in here, that’s fine. Might be dictated by hole locations. people going for the green. 78% so far today. We’ve seen a few balls in the water. We’ve seen a lot of them up on the right on that slope in the rough and it’s been really tough to get it up and in. Lucas Glover just played one of the best shots ever. Don’t you think all the guys going for the green is a lot to do with the whole location being in the front of the green? Any anything in the front, you got to go for it. Terrell Hatton coming up a little bit short, but still a nice little pitch left. When you get to that back hole location or back right against the bunker, it changes things. Now at six, birdie putt for Cam Davis to hold the lead all by himself and he curled it right in. If I can jump in your curves, I He just looks like to me he should win it once or twice a year. Do you have any feelings why it’s not happening? I don’t. Every time I watch him play, he’s beautiful player, beautiful swinger, good short game, but he’s finished high a lot of times. It’s just a matter of time, you think, for a young man like that. Jordan Speed down the fairway at 12. We’ve seen that throughout the day. A difficult green. Spe cut out for him just off the green as we move to 13. Tracing by Top Tracer brought to you in partnership with Rolex. Marawa is going to be down there where we saw Adam Scott play it from moments ago. See many mis hits from Colin like that very often. Ken Brown is with Oberg at 12 who also found the fairway. 148 yds down Breeze. Such an awkward pin to get that. Really is tough. Almost impossible. Breeze freshening. Love you. And again, we’ve seen that throughout the day at 12. Not only the fairway, one of the narrowest out here at Quail Hollow. That green with that pin tucked back there has given these players work to try to get up and down. It is a beautiful day for the first round of the PGA Championship. A fun leaderboard as Cam Davis now leads all to himself at six under. We’ll return in a moment. [Music] He has won his fourth PTA. He has taken the torch and he’s running with it. Bills Fats rejoice. A phenomenal talent and a major champion. [Music] [Music] [Music] First round here at Quail Hollow continues and throughout the afternoon we will continue our coverage of those on the golf course moment include the leader Cam Davis and the Green Mile. I said it. What are we up to? Five. That’s the tough finishing stretch. We’ll revisit how the top three in the world performed or perhaps didn’t. What surprising starts for them as we continue. Quail Hollow at the PGA Championship. [Music] The course doesn’t move. The opponent does. Ahead, behind, around the course, up and down the leaderboard. Both are the enemy. Not either or. Yes. And to win a major, you’ll have to beat the course and your fellow competitors. [Music] We are just shy of 5:00 here Charlotte, North Carolina on what began as it continues to be a lovely day. Folks who’ve been out here on the ground, they’ve earned it after the rains throughout the weekend dropped about 5 in on Quail Hollow. Some highlights for those of you perhaps just getting back in from work that weren’t able to keep up on the progress throughout the day of the first, second, and third ranked players in the world. That would be Mroy, Sheffller, and Schoffley. They played 16, a mammoth par4 that’s been so difficult all day, and they struggled. You saw Rory’s problems. Here is Scotty Sheffer. That ball darts left. There’ll see Xander and a pretty telltale reaction as he looks at Austin as Caddyy that yeah mudal out of your control in the fairways that’s all you can do after that you’re hopeless. All three players doubled the hole. Brooks Kepka had a struggle throughout his afternoon and finish on the wrong side of par. Here’s Justin Thomas, a winner here in 2017. And that led to doubling to Shambo on three distance control. From time to time, he can be significantly off with those approaches and that led to a big number, but he is under actually a bogey, not a big number, but he is underpar and top 12 players in the world. And it is interesting to see that on Thursday we don’t find more of them under par though. Victor Hoblin for the moment is at 300. Maverick McNeely playing well and Mickey Matsuyama in a red number as well. And as we greet you alongside Curtis Strange. I’m Scott Vampel. Appreciate you being with us throughout this day. That one, two, and three pairing in the world. Scotty, Rory, and Xander. It was a struggle throughout. Scotty still got in in two underpar in a day when he didn’t have his best. But what did you make of what we saw from that trio throughout the day? You know, I when you put the one, two, and three in the world together, you can’t help but think that they’re looking at each other a little bit too much. Much like Jack and Arie always said they never played well with each other. But be that as it may, you’re still a competitor. You still have to get after it. Uh they just didn’t play solid golf. Rory drove it poorly as he did last week. Uh Scotty salvaged a good solid round. Uh I I just think it’s a long hard golf course and if you’re not precise right on it’s going to show all your weaknesses and if you have a mud ball there’s really not a whole lot you can do and with that in mind we welcome in Jeff Darlington who has been visiting with players throughout the day and documenting the stories of their rounds and the day and as how much of a topic of conversation has that been Jeff? Because as much rain as this golf course took leading up to today, we were curious, might they have their hand on the golf ball? The answer was no. It’s not lift clean in place. Is the topic of mudball something that’s been widely discussed. Scott, it is all the buzz as golfers are exiting the golf course. I’ve talked to several of them, including Xander Schoffley and Keegan Bradley. Two even killed guys who did express their frustration to me about it. Specifically Schoffley. We showed him on the 16th hole there. He said very clearly he had mud on his ball as did Scotty Sheoffller Schoffley telling me it was almost a penalty to hit the fairway to be honest. He talked about he had three or four holes in a row where he had mud on the top of his ball. He said that just reduces the spin. There were other times when mud was on the side of his ball and that he said was just throwing up a prayer. Now Sheffller also even killed shared his thoughts as well. And when you think about the purest test of golf, I don’t personally think that hitting the ball in the middle of the fairway you should get punished for. And on a golf course as good of conditioned as this one is, this is probably where a situation in which it would be the least likely difference in playing it up because most of the lies you get out here are all really good. And so I understand how a golf purist would be like, “Oh, play it as a lies.” But I don’t think they understand what it’s like literally working your entire life to learn how to hit a golf ball. and control it and hit shots and control distance and all of a sudden due to a rules decision that is completely taken away from us just by chance. Now the PG of PGA of America did come out with a statement yesterday getting ahead of this and saying that they were not going to have preferred lies. They would not allow lift clean in place and that’s what a lot of these golfers are saying should be the case. Keegan Bradley also noting that he understands in majors they want to avoid preferred lies, but he feels like given the rain and the conditions that they should have gone that way here. I did reach out to the PGA of America. We haven’t gotten comment on where things stand at this point, but I can tell you certainly frustration among the golfers. Scott Jeeoff, that’s not at all surprising. And Padrick Harrington mentioned leading up to today this the wetest golf course that he had ever seen. This is man in his 50s who of course plays in Europe. So, he’s seen wet golf courses and it was a bit like I’ve said this throughout the day, like a sponge that you use to soak up a spill. If you don’t ring it out, it’s it was that wet. And yes, the sun is out and yes, this golf course does drain well. And yes, we understand purists, Curtis, to say, “We don’t want a hand on a golf ball. Play it as it lies.” But how do you react to the idea that you really shouldn’t be punished if you hit it square in the fairway and there’s a big old blob of mud on the ball? Great argument, isn’t it? I think so. I think it’s compelling. For a player standpoint, it’s it’s completely aggravating when you lose control of the golf ball in the air. From the PGA standpoint, I think from the PGA of America, I think they thought that it was enough grass on these fairways, thick enough, overseated with rye, that they wouldn’t pick up mud. They were wrong, obviously. And I I think they made a mistake. I think for one day, it’s okay to put it in your hand and put it on a tuft of grass and not and clean the ball. It’s a decision for today. I mean, it’s a conversation that could certainly be had moving forward if they feel it’s necessary. It’s a conversation to have, but it’s also a conversation to have because it could cost somebody the tournament. When you see a golf ball dive hard left in the air, that’s the telltale. And as soon as Xander looks up as he I mean, he you could miss that shot, but you’re not missing it the way he missed it unless there’s mud on the ball. If you have mud on the ball, though, you can’t shoot that thing up in the air and hit a full shot. You’ve got to put that ball down low and control it as much as you can. That a fair point as well to 13. Ludvig not pleased with that one. They’ll have to get up and down from the bunker where we saw Etaria struggle earlier. Left several in there, but he did play very well and shot three under Paul to 12. And how about this difficult shot for Tom Kim? Again, this pin location today at the difficult par4 12th has been giving these players fits. You see the other two players in this groupy didn’t even hit the green. Neither did Tom Kim. So, he’s got to run and mark that. Ever the athlete. It’s never boring at the PGA with Tom. Don’t step in their line. Marked safe. Oh boy. Now Bryson at 12. Well, the wind coming out the right and this starts down the right hand side. You know, as long and far as he hits it, I bet he could take a whole chunk of earth out of the mud. as we move to 13. Speed on the T. Tracing by Top Tracer. Brought to you in partnership with Rolex. Good hole location just over the bucker on the left there. You see some moisture coming out of these greens. That’s going to take all his talent. It’ll be so quick. All right, back to the tea at 12 and Havland. Again, Curtis, this is a narrow hole. Tough fairway to hit. You saw it there with Havlin. He’s going to have tree troubles. He moved to 14. Morau famously drove it on the short power four at the end of his PJ victory. I don’t think that one was exactly in the middle of the face. That’s what a good 30 yards short of the front of the green. That will be awkward. But John, it’s nice when you mis hit it. It still goes straight. All right, Tom Hustle to market it. Can he make par to stay at three under [Music] he’ll drop one at 12. Coming off of birdie at 11. gives it back to move to two under. Let’s go over to 13. See what’s facing over here. Delicate bunker shot required here. My goodness. How about those hands? That’s lovely. Kent Brown, can I ask you? This young man we all want to watch every time we turn on the TV. He’s becoming star over here, but I bet he’s near hero status back at home, isn’t he? Absolutely. To have done so well. He’s done so well in the majors as well. A very impressive player. Just a bit erratic on the greens at times, but uh definitely one to watch. Cam Davis with his second at the power five seventh. Very fortunate that it stayed up. May not have much of a stance, but very fortunate. going to need a bit of good fortune. 72 holes of golf third for Hendrick here at three. I’m sorry, Andy. That’s okay. He hit a beautiful shot. Scott, is it going in? Yes, it is. Good call, Van Peasy. Nice two. That’s uh stealing some shots. We’ve seen a lot of shots held from off the green today. Some bombs. on the greens. Holding one. Yeah, pretty cool. Yeah, easy. If you aim at it, it ought to go in once in a while, shouldn’t it? That’s what I thought. Yet one birdie still at 16 made by this man, Aaron Ry for birdie at four. And to his credit, he made the birdie with a 40yard shot out of the rough. Still a birdie putt not made over there. We’ll check in with guys in a bit if we go back to 14. This is a tough little shot if you car on the green. It’s got to hit awfully softly. He’s able to put quite a bit of spin on that. He’s going to have a quick sevenfooter for birdie. All right, there’s the trouble for Victor Havlin off the tee. This is his second. Yeah. And from 183 yards, kind of a sixiron. Keep it underneath the canopy of the trees. Try to scoot it up there. Ooh, that’s carrying it too far. That’s gone. We We’ve seen it throughout the day. Now, that was trouble off the tea for Havlin, but with where that pent location is, it’s given these guys fits to even hold the green. Now 12 starting to show its teeth a little bit. Over to 13. Incoming car. Speed blows it way up into the air. It’ll never stop. even his short game. Such a tough shot when you miss these greens long cuz just about every green slopes severely from back to front. He knew it as soon as he hit the T- shot to 14. Justin Thomas as good a pitcher and chipper of the ball as there is in our game. Two. He thought he made it. Absolutely. I don’t think there’s anybody in the game hits those shots as solidly and as purely as he does. Now we I bet that pretzel is good. Look at that. Take a rip. This is She wasn’t even done with that one. And she was going in for more. Like Bryson aggressive at 12 going over the tree. That is unbelievable. That was from 115 yards. I mean, that tree is 35 ft tall and he was probably 10 yards back. I have no idea how that happened. You might not either, but I agree with that, too. Have another look at this shot, Curtis. How many muscles did you pull watching this? Well, it it just another way strength shows its face on a golf course. It’s not only length off the tea. It’s the ability to hit shots like this. Look at that or out of the deep rough or long irons up in the air. We’ve seen some of the best in the world today have to work in and around Quail. Davis not one of them over at seven. A very awkward shot and it’s going to come right back to his feet. Good luck that it got over the water. Not a very good situation. Now he’s got a lot of work to do. Tier will hatton second par five. [Music] dropped the club. He’s terrible. It wasn’t that bad. He’s furious. I will go retrieve the weapon and then pull off the head cover and go putt for Eagle. Let’s see if Speed can make this one. Oh, he’s dead on line. put himself in danger with the long t-shot long above this hole so quick. And that’s now three in a row. He’s bogey four of five. Tracing by Top Trace, brought to you by in partnership with Rolex, I should say. 44y old Adam Scott, as we mentioned, approaching his hundth major championship, competed in, of course, a Mast’s champion and staring at this one. If it looks like a long ways up for the second, it is about 270 to the front of the green. And at that’ll be a tough third down the hill to the hole. to the lengthy par4 ninth. Zenho on a fantastic line and that’s spectacular. 530 yards and he’s in position for just the sixth birdie of the day on that hole. Back at the par par five seventh Kim Davis this long birdie putt the first two/3s up the hill and then it goes back downy we were talking a moment ago why why hadn’t he won more often well we just looked up his stats off the tea are not very good this year finished fifth at Pebble Beach earlier the year then missed five cuts in a row so he’s been struggling allerg for up and down to stay in red numbers. That’s well done. So Colin Marov for his birdie attempt at 14. Very very slippery coming back down the hill. Yes, nice up and in from short to the green. Gets him back into red figures. Cam Davis, six under par, currently leading by one, playing some quality golf. Has a little par save over at the seventh. How about Alex Smallley? Didn’t know he was going to even be in the championship until yesterday afternoon as an alternate. And what a great start. [Music] [Music] ESPN’s coverage of the 2025 PGA Championship is brought to you by the PGA of America and our more than 30,000 PGA of America golf professionals. We love this game. Look at downtown Charlotte. This golf community always supports the event on this golf course. This week they get to cheer on 99 of the top 100 in a major. Camp Davis cleaning up his par. The par five seven remain six under to five. Bye. Beautiful approach. Center of the green. And let’s see if his eight note can make bird number six. Uh just as the saying goes, par on this hole is always good, but it’s not nearly as good when you had that for three. Not there though. You hit a shot like that, you certainly want to take advantage of it to 12. We saw the miraculous shot from Bryson over the tree, Billy. Well, and the putt from 90 ft. This is unbelievably good. So, two incredible efforts out of Bryson. Still even over to 15 from the bunker. Should land it short of the surface. That’s that was always going to be the problem cuz that area is so so damp and has held on to the moisture and it grabbed it right there. 14 Oberg can do it. 14 looks like it’s less than a driver. 311 wind helping off the left. Very narrow target brownie. I think that one will work. Just crack a jack. What a great shot. All right, now Havlin trying to save Par. [Applause] He walked after it thinking he did it. And it’s been amazing watching some of these players struggle at 12. So Havlin will drop a bogey. Back-to- back bogeies for Victor on the one under. Back to 15. Gerald Hatton for Eagle after that terrible three-wood to this position. Hey, he holds himself to a high standard. Go ahead, Terrell. That’s beautifully judged. Manhattan and take advantage of the easiest hole on the golf course. You’d better 16 17 and 18 all you want. And that’s where Hatton heads, but he’s three under. And you immediately wave goodbye to the easiest and step onto the tea for the most difficult. I’ve got a stat for you. Since 03 when the tournament tour came here, including the PGA of America, the 1 through 15 is minus455 under par. The last three holes during that stretch is plus 8,151. You just made that up, but it’s makes the point. No, no. 8,151. Adam Scott, is that adjusted for today? It doesn’t make any difference. Scott no bogeies but was hoping for better on 15. Okay, now Bryson at 12. Yeah, a couple of adjustments with the line. Should move left. That’s a hell of a two pipe. Yep. As far as pars go based on how Bryson got there. Pretty good. Stays it even. All right, over to 14. Jordan Speed putting the ball from about eight yards off the front of the 14th green. Easy. This is all downhill, down grain at this point. So, just trickles by about six or seven feet. A little wow on that one. Eric Van Royan now on the tee at 17 and playing well today. Three under par. Just three shots off Camp Davis’s lead. Little bounce just off that real tightly mode area. That’s your miss if you have to miss it there. Yeah, absolutely. A lot better than left. Yeah. Oberg at 14 for Eagle down the hill. Breaking hard from left to right. This is definitely going to go right at the end. It is It’s fooled a lot of players now. Walk Nean has made his way to the final stretch. A bad day for him. Four over and that is without question the approach of the day at 16. Average proximity still over 56 ft. Walken will look to make two birdies there. That’s second for Morocawa here at 15. That was from 271 up the hill. That is that collar of rough, but it will have plenty of green in which to work. Back to 14. Jordan speed trying to clean up the putt from off the front of the green. Pretty much straight up the hill. Needs to get the three over. He’s got another birdie opportunity in the next hole. He can finish [Applause] strong. Aerial coverage provided by Goodyear for every legendary moment. Stay still, always, forever. Some great shots from above Coil Hollow this week. It’s nice to be able see the ground. You couldn’t see the ground from the bump the last three days. Now Davis at eight. 342 yards. Aggressive as you like. Curtis. Eight for 12. Fairways hit so far today. Bunker’s been a popular spot. Let’s go back to five. And the birdie putt for Aaron Ry. Little speedy coming down the hill from left to right. That is a beautifully struck putt that just missed. Rafael Compos second at one. Oh, it’s beautiful. during the rainy practice rounds. Saw him for about a hole and a half before we were called in. That’s a man who has a smile on his face at all times. Easy to pull for the Shambo on the T at 13. Pull the N iron. Wind kind of dancing around left to right, right to left. That’s going to be left to the flag up against that sort of next cut. That’s a be hard to get the clean club strike. Coberg for his two cup birdie at 14 after that beautiful T- shot. Can he knock it on 15 and maybe get an eagle opportunity after Havlin lipped out on 12? No. Going one more club. It’s a seven iron. It’s aggressive as well. And he’ll need to do what Oberg just did before him. Try to get up and down to remain as Oberg did at the time at one under to 17. Michael Block playing in another PGA trying to curve one in at the 17th. going to fly another one in and then turn around and ask anybody did it go in. That’s pretty dang good. [Applause] He is still popular couple years after uh what happened at Oakhill. [Laughter] He enjoys the stage. He does. And that’s that’s okay. That’s great. I don’t blame him one bit. Not at all. Our Corbridge financial team leaderboard. It’s his son Ethan, by the way, on the bag this week. That’s cool. Enjoying the walk with his son. See if Compost can move to three under. Pours it in. Has already played the most difficult section of the golf course. Keep that in mind as we see if he can add to that. was third on its way. That’s up and over that spine and then right down to the hole. That’s really impressive to lead it over that spine and short of the hole. Hatton dead center of the fairway at 16. Neman did make the birdie making it two birdies on the day at 16. one off the fairway. So, he made the first approach putt. Hatton’s going to have his work cut out for him. So, some movement in the afternoon groups on a perfect day to play golf in Charlotte. 107 PGA Championship returns to ESPN after this. [Music] I could have danced all night. Alexander fires a three. Got it. Thunder game five. Joic onelegged three. Got it. The pressure is as we head towards the final couple hours of this opening round of the 107th PGA Championship Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. A very interesting day where some of the best players in the world have struggled. Some players who don’t have high profiles have played great, including at eight, Cam Davis found the bunker off the tee. So certainly not what he had designed for a birdie putt length when he stepped to the short par four over to six. Par three, Aaron Ry was some sort of little hybrid. That’s par three. That’s 241 yds. That was a little too much. We haven’t seen many shots all the way back there. Now we see the Shamboa. This is tricky here. Yeah, that edge right there, that is you got to cover that. You don’t, that’s what you’re going to get. thought so off that tea when you saw it roll right into that juicier almost third level of the rough Curtis. Yeah, you see it up and then down and just trying to trickle it over the edge to get it to the hole and you know if he goes two feet too far it goes 15 ft by. So very tough shot. 16 Adam Scott hold back there. He’s got some some thicker grass behind the green. That’s going to get his attention though now as we go tomorrow. Trying to move to 200 paw. Slippery one. Perfect. Two in a row. Buckle up for the final stretch. Now, Dashambo is up and out of that one quickly. Yeah, I think he would have been better off, Curtis, if he’d have been 15 ft on the other side of the hole. Still not quite in. You saw the T-shot. Michael Block turns it into a birdie at 17. Coming off a a double at 16. That’s a nice bounce back. All right. So, Davis for Birdie over at eight is our leader by one. Backs off it just under 20 ft. This one downhill. It’s going to be quick. You see where he’s aiming there to the left. Saw him tap that. That’s a good putt from where he was. So, Davis have that left for par to remain at six under. He tries to get home and get into that clubhouse, remaining our leader after one. Let’s go to 14. Tom Kim. Tom Kim with his fourth shot. Put it in the water. [Applause] Certainly looked like it was going to go right in the middle of the hole. Edges are so sharp. You know, he’s been known to early celebrate. Wicked lip out. Yes, I made it. No, I didn’t. So Davis two putts was in the bunker off the tea in the short par4. Eighth remains at six under heads to the final hole of the ninth maintaining a oneshot lead over to six. Saw that hybrid carry a little too far for Aaron Rice. So, this is back all the way down this big green. What a beautiful little chip shot. [Applause] That’s where the players certainly they hit it longer than they did of yesterday, but they are so much better I think around the greens. The touch, the ability to hit the lofted shot. Now, we’re back at 13. back to one over. Muttering, shaking his head. 16. Adam Scott behind the green. He was working on a bogey free card. And that’s going to take every bit of his effort to maintain it. Not the first or the last to get got at the 16th. As we go to the 15th, third for speed. 120 yards. Not too bad of a liber. Very tight front pin. Tendency would be to come out left here. Right over top the stick, but that’ll be a quick one coming down the hill from left to right. 16 Manhattan. Just two birdies at this difficult hold. Patton will make part to stay a three under. You make part 16, you feel good. You make part 17, you feel better. You get through that stretch. You’re loving all of it. We love the PGA Junior League. Bringing friends, families, and communities together through golf. All with expert PGA and LPGA coaching. Find a team near you at pga Junior League.com. Had an opportunity. Andy, recalled a couple of those PGA Junior League tournaments. One of my favorite events of the year. Watch all these youngsters handle the pressure and react to it. It’s beautiful. You just like the soft serve ice cream to the 15. Who doesn’t? Oberg’s third. Control the spin. Well, flew it a little bit too far. Making a bit of a mess on the easy par five 16. Does Adam Scott remain bogey free? That 16, you can have a clean card, pristine round working around here at Quail Hollow. you get to this hole and it’ll it’ll make you think. So, he’ll drop a shot, move to three under, three off this man’s lead. And we see our leader Cam Davis tree won last summer, Curtis, he mentioned it was working with a hypnotherapist trying to take a different approach and get his head back in the right place. He said he’ll try anything and if it doesn’t work, he’ll drop it. But why not? It’s sort of the game in a nutshell, isn’t it? Well, most of the game is played between the five inches between your ears upstairs. So, uh, why not? Victor Hob going with the big stick at the drivable par4. Yeah, that’s a really good line there, Andy. Left to right wind. Oh, it just trickled into that green sight bunker. I mean, that is that was hit right in the center of the club face. Let’s take a look at all these T-shots. Red ones all over the place. See the balls in the water? Those are automatic bogeies. But a lot of opportunities. A lot of balls on the green. Fun hole. Now Bryson with some kind of fairway metal. Yeah, this is a threeblade. I’m back at the tea. I saw three head covers. I had to I was curious. This is very reachable with this club. Oh, he’s hooked it back into the wind. Couldn’t tell if it got to the bunker or not. Bunker. Okay. Yeah, there’s the ball in the middle of the bunker. That will not be the easiest bunker shot. Quite a bit of bunker to carry before you get to the green. And it’s quite quick from right to left to 15. Challenge for speed down the glacia. This is so quick. Working its way back. Brownie, as you said, that is a awfully swift downhill putt. 16 and Marawa. That’s 235. We’ve seen two shots inside 13 ft today. All day on this hole. Back to 15. So, been a bit of an adventure. Found the farewell the two. Ho it way up the left bank and got one coming out a bit fast. Went from one side of the green to the other. Lovely bit of fringe down the hill. Should be turning a little bit to his left. Ken, how has Patrick Reed played today? Pretty steady overall. One or two loose shots, couple of loose tea shots. He was lost to the right, but generally not bad. He’s a grafter. Runner up here in 17 third at the Masters this year just to get to one under. Oh, was well judged. Excellent [Applause] pace. 15’s been the easiest hole, but still not easy. Have to execute every shot to 16. Speaking it not easy, Justin Thomas out of the rough at 16. Killed it off the tee. That was just 194 down the hill, but killed that one too. Good job by the volunteering back playing dodgeball. Another shot for Justin Thomas off the green. Not going to be easy in its own right. Course amazing. We got out here Sunday and Monday and this place was soaked. Amazing the conditions that it’s playing in today. It’s dried out pretty quickly. It’s playing quick. Over to 15. Speaking of quick, Oberg, not as quick as he thought. Still two under on his round. Four off the lead. Stress free so far. It looks like 17. Terrell Hatton. I don’t know if he has a lot of totally stress-free rounds, even if he’s playing really well. Oh my god, that is See what I mean? Worst bucks. To 18. Well, to 18. Blocked from the middle of the fairway. Right at it. Well played. Good solid shots here. 17. Adam Scott coming off his first bogey of the day. This par three with such an intimidating visual. Water all around this green. Oh, just got it over. Well, you wonder if that was a little bit of a mis hit. This stretch of this golf course with the water and these holes, you could see parts of each hole from one another and really remarkable. Again, not a surprise at all. 16 17 18. Cumulatively 136 overpar with 22 birdies and 23 balls in the water. More balls in the water than birdies. Speaking of 16 in the green mile, Justin Thomas from the back of the green. Way down below the level. Justin Thomas. [Applause] He has been grinding all afternoon now. Three birdies at 16. Practically a birdie factory. Now have a look at these hands. This is phenomenal. Of the three birdies, two of them came from off the green. What can you say about Justin Thomas? Like a mircat, popped up out of nowhere. He has been working throughout the afternoon, I got to tell you, watching Justin Thomas go to 17 as we move tonight. Great reminder. Just stay in the fight. It’s only Thursday. Ah, he came out of it. Big long second shot caught the tree. He’ll be left with a difficult third over the bunker. Remember now, Gerard got to seven with an eagle on 15 and drop shots on 17 and 18. So Davis is at six and now has a lot of work to do to remain there. Birdie opportunity at seven. It’s very slow up the hill. Now I’ve bent on anything in the red numbers this today is a good start on one. Elvis Smiley [Applause] that gets him to red numbers. Good plan somewhere. I feel like our friend Boomer is saying Elvis left the building. Or something to that effect. We love you, Boomer. You’re in it. Bryson with that very difficult bunker shot at 14. Laid it very nicely. Yeah, I I would say that’s upper level right there, Andy. Yeah, that was not easy to stop it that quickly. is unlucky. So, we got some aim points happening at 16. Dustin Johnson. Catty’s aim point. Now, I didn’t know that. Everyone aim points. Really? Yeah. Not everyone. I think that Austin understands aim point better than Dustin does. And by the way, Dustin has put it terribly today. We saw him miss three putt from six feet. Well, they continue to find their point via aim. We go to the 14th. H with another tough bunker shot. He’s going to land it right on the little spine. Ease it down there, Andy. A little surprised that didn’t release a little better. I know. Two tough bunker shots played pretty darn well. All right. And back to DJ at 16. Location honed to save par for DJ. He missed that way left. It’s It’s so off. It’s hard to watch. It’s such a tough game, too, when you’re not making any putts. You don’t think you’re going to make any putts because you don’t see any birdies out there. Can’t take advantage of your good shots. Now 17. That’s Hatton. Missed the green right. That’s a good shot. put yourself in a position to make your par three. 17 now playing as the third toughest hole today to 16. Colin Morocawa trying to avoid dropping one. He’s at two under. By contrast, he’s looked very good, particularly inside 8 ft today. Yeah, John, he’s just been steady. Nothing brilliant, nothing awful, but good enough to be at two under with two to play. And interestingly, Curtis, I asked Joe walking as they were walking up to 16 if they had had any mud balls today and he said no, they’ve been okay to 18. See if block can finish with backto back birdies. Not to be Mission Viejo Golf Club. All right, let’s see what Sergio can do here at 14. Breeze out of the left. Probably need to hit a draw with it. If now a cut going with the wind, that’s going to be up in that bank in the rough. But we’ve seen so many balls and it’s just such a tough up and end from there. It looks easy, Andy, but with the wind coming out of the left and most of these players hit cut shots now, it’s hard to start it over the edge of that water. Oh, we’ve seen how many 460 plus foot putts made. This one from just inside 70 ft. Adam Scott. All right, we’re not going to add to the total, but not bad. Shaking his head after that lag putt on 17. One more hole to go for Adam Scott to try to finish off what’s been an excellent first round for him. But our current leader, fellow Australian Cam Davis, one shot ahead at six under par. [Music] Here we go. Every year you ask same questions, still get them wrong. The W Maker Trophy, which is 32 lbs. What weighs more, the W maker or a NASCAR tire? I would have to say the W Maker Trophy. It sounds like a trick [Music] question. Tire has got to be my I would think the tire has to be lighter. are trying to keep the weight down. Or maybe they were trying. I don’t know. Uh let’s go to wine maker. If it was a guess, it was a good one. Bryson, we’re just before 6:00 here. But he was trying to figure it out, though. Of course he is. That’s what he does. He’s got to figure stuff out. See if he’s got this putt figured out. slide from his left to right. And it just that was wicked left to right. And the third for our leader Davis. Looks like a pretty good line to throw it up in the air. He did that. Will it settle? It’s reasonable. Not bad. He’ll have that to post 65. Ben on second at the eight. Oh, Ben on now three under. Went from Ben on to Ben in. An assist on that one from Andy North. Now Ryan with his second into the par five seventh. He’s throwing it up in the air and we’ve seen so many balls left of the screen and that has not been an easy place to get it up and in. So many of the players are coming up short. There’s Duffner, a PGA champion, plus six on the day. waggle that made him popular when he won that tournament. That’s a good T- shot for him. And a look at birdie. Back to nine. Dave shot 65 at Oakhill in 2023 when he tied for fourth to match that. No. So, he’ll surrender that shot, which means that Gerard and Davis are your leaders at five under. He’ll be disappointed to that bogey, but overall he’s played a spectacular round of golf. Hoblin missed his birdie attempt. No, Bryson to clean up. you know, just straight back up the hill and after that good bunker shot. A little disappointing, Andy. Yeah, that’s a green that you’d think he would have had no trouble getting to even with the three medal just coming up short in the bunker. Over to 15. Windam Clark from the front bunker should have plenty of green in which to work. Great hands. That’s spicy right there. Well, well played, too. Creating speed to get the ball up. Got a little spin on it. A winner here and a major winner as well to 16. And Oberg is second from the fairway. Just no stress in the swing at all. We’ve seen a couple now consecutive holes. Guys going deep back over the green. Justin Thomas just dunked his for a birdie. But Oberg a bit surprised as we move to 17. Justin Thomas trying to keep the momentum going. Man, is he salvaging his round. That’s five iron. He’s got to have great memories of this hole. made the birdie on the 71st hole, winning in 2017 the first PGA championship here. Yeah. Back to 15. Still, what do you like about Rice on the T here at 15? I think his sight line is directly over that second tree, that far tree down the left hand side. Now he split it. Absolutely split it. And that is perfect. Have a nice day. What a weapon to have in the bag. Eyeball that. have a green light to try to get up there and make eagle, which is what Kim’s looking for here. He’s done it. And after bit of robbery, I think on 14, that was dead center. and the man whose star really exploded here in the President’s Cup for with Trevor Immelman’s squad. That team got wrecked, but he was sort of a one-man band. And Kim buries that one. Beautifully done. 17. Colin Morawa. This is aggressive. Wants it to get down. That big bounce. There is the rough there to stop it. Second half to the screen. runs away from these players. That’s what makes this one of the reason that makes it so tough. Good point to seven. Now Ry pitching it from that left of the green. That’s one of the best pitches we’ve seen from over there. He was able to carry it up on the green, control the speed. Nice little short tap in for Birdie. So this is what was left for Oberg after his second at the 16th. Not pretty, but half decent lie on up slope all things considered with that coming back from par. Oldberg at two under trying not to lose any strokes on his way in. Next May, the PJ championship returns to Aronom Golf Club in Newton Square, Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia to register for tickets. Visit pj championship.com/register. Registration closes soon. What a great weekend they had a week ago at the truest played out there in Philadelphia. Some of the great golf up in this part of the country when the country finally thaws and we’ll see it next year from rough sledding for the boys that are Cowboys fans that went last week. They were George Spe said he was hearing it from Eagles fans. That is a passionate bunch and boy, you can’t tell them anything at the moment. Of course, they’re reigning Super Bowl champions. Cam Davis trying to become a PGA champion. Signing for some folks after a splendid round of 60 six. Windham Clark, one of the longest hitters out here, makes his way to the 16th. 32 to the bunker. Just right in the middle of the fairway. Dead set. Perfect for Windham. Now Justin Thomas on 16 had a brilliant chip in now at 17. This one down the hill super fast. Just had to be careful. We have seen a lot of chipins, haven’t we, today? A lot of those little short shots hold. Okay, back at 16 now in Oberg. Got a great round going and I was amazed he took on the flag to play for my point of view anyway was middle of the green all day and all night but anyway he’s got this to save his part. Pretty well played from where he was. This area of putting surface I was watching it this morning. There’s a bit of patchy grain. It’s not easy to read. So 12 ft to remain at two under. Should move just a little bit to his left. Moved it right. So Oberg going to drop a shot at the 16th. That’s what drove me to the booth. The 16th or putting? Putting. All right. Well, we’re glad you’re here. You’re very kind. Back to Sergio. Sergio for his birdie putt after pitching it down the hill. One of the very few players to get it up and in from that right hand rough. That is some outfit. Stole it from Andy North. All right. For his birdie at seven. Ooh, it’s in now. That gets him to four under par. And this on five, Tyler Khallet. Beautifully done. Khallet’s fourth career major appearance. John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida. He put on a show and Cruising to victory. Hatton 185 up the hill. Flag stick back center. Right just a bit. Oh, what a shot. Brilliant. Surprising. 18 is the sixth most difficult hole through the years. It’s been always one or two. 17. That is interesting. Players staying out of the water. I think for the most part today teamawa. Do we have another one? We do. This is pretty amazing. As you said it, Dave, I thought, don’t we often see that in majors? It just feels like it’s cream rises and Yeah, maybe you’re right. I I This is Oh, it’s a lot. [Applause] [Music] Don’t look now. Colin Morala is only two shots off the lead. We agree entirely. It’s just it is a major. You do have 99 of the top 100 in the world, including Adam Scott staring at one on 18. Another beautiful shot. Making it look easy. It is not. Can’t see the surface of the green up the hill. [Applause] 25th PGA Championship for the 44 year old. It’s the beauty of this game. You can develop a relationship with a player and you can enjoy him for decades. We figure to do that with the Shambo green light from 221 after a massive T- shot. center of the green. Seen quite a few eagles, but like we saw with Kim and to your point, Dave, they’re pitching them in. So, this is the par putt for Justin Thomas. It’s just his seventh putt this side. Wow, that’s pretty remarkable. hitting it close, making putts, chipping it in. Speaking of chipins, here’s Tom Kim. Did that back on 15, his second at the 16th. Blind second shot. He’s lucky that came down all the holes where you don’t want to be blind on the second. It’s the 16th. I got to think he might have had a little mud on that ball when it misses so far to the right. Being so careful. Now Brian Harmon with his T- shot at 14. This is a nice line. Will miss that bunker. Oh, what a shot. Hit awfully soft. That’s going to be a very makeable eagle opportunity. Brian even power for the championship. Get chance to get two under very quickly. Hideki managed to stay out of the bunker off the tea. There you can see the flag stack just on top of the bunker. Just seeing the top of it. 212 yards left. One under on the day Another player off the back of the green at 16. Hideki even on the back nine, one under for the tournament. He’s going to need every bit of his skill set to get up and down from there. I don’t know what he was accomplishing or what he was working on, but he really wanted to figure it out. I think this is a world class talent, but a grinder as well. What did they say? You had 22 different clubs out there on the on the range today trying to find the right mix for the bag. Putting in the pouring rain. Windham Clark was long off the tea. He’s got a good look now for the second. You have to shoot it out to the right of the hole location because left of the hole it slopes off to the left and beyond away. Big green, but you still have to be careful on where you land this second shot. Biggest green on the golf course. Matt stepped off to take a look at the wind. Seen a couple of players over the last couple of holes go long. The wind has picked up throughout the afternoon. Still confusing the players. Good to dry out the course. However, it’s perfect, bud. Okay, all things considered, dead center of the green, pin high. You heard the conversation, said it was perfect. So, he’ll have a look at birdies. We check in with Michael Eaves. All right, Matt, thanks so much. Uh, two years ago at Oakhill, you shot 65 Cam Davis in the final round to finish tied for fourth. One shot short of that today, but now you’re tied for the lead after the first round. Uh, what was most comfortable about your game here today? Um, I mean, the swing is feeling a little better, but I I rolled a lot of really good putts in today, so they were starting to get a little bit bumpy towards the end of the round, and they were a lot different to the greens that we were practicing on earlier this week. But um yeah, I was reading them well and uh I made a lot of good distance putts to kind of keep the m the momentum going. So uh yeah, it was a nice it was a very nice day to see putts going. Yeah. You said the swing is feeling very nice. Your first four events of the year, you had three finishes, top 18 or better, and then you had a stretch where you missed five straight cuts. What was that process like to get back to the point where you could go out and shoot the score you did here today? Uh some digging deep. Um it’s a pretty lonely place out here when you’re not playing well. um only playing two rounds a week for a little while there was um it’s not some place I haven’t been before but at the same time every time you’re there it feels like it’s a little bit harder work to get back out of it but um you know I’ve been I’ve been working really hard that hasn’t stopped but um yeah this week feel like the swing just felt a little bit better in practice and um you know now I switched up my putter this week and started rolling some putts in now I wonder why I wasn’t using that putter earlier but it’s Um, you know, both of those things I I would love to maintain them throughout this week because it was very nice to see today. You mentioned the difference between the practice rounds and the first round today. What do you expecting playing conditions tomorrow when we get more sun and more wind potentially? Um, it’s going to be a combination of things. It’s going to be harder to hold greens, but the greens are just going to get smoother and faster. So, um, obviously more important to be in the fairway as the week goes on. stopping the ball and the greens out of the rough is going to get more and more difficult, but um at the same time the putts are just going to roll nicer and nicer. So, um today honestly, they were in a really good spot. The course is still a little bit damp, but the greens have held up really well with the subair. But, um yeah, just more and more time with sun and a little bit of wind, and by the time Sunday comes around, I’m sure they’re going to be very firm and very fast, exactly the way they would want it. Well, solid showing today. Seven circles on your card. Nothing wrong with that. Cam, appreciate the time. Thank you. All right, send it back out to the golf. So refreshing to hear someone speak about the highs and lows, the real life out here. Uh, as he said, getting lonely when you’re by yourself, missing five cuts in a row, but he’s worked hard. That’s what you have to do. And he’s come back, as we just watched Victor Havlin for a moment. Now we’re over at 18. See if Adam Scott can finish with yet another birdie here on 18. Not quite disappointing not to cash in what was a excellent approach but at the end of it all 69 Brian Harmon with his eagle attempt at 14 hang up there just Going back up the hill just enough to slow it down. Being a little bit careful, but a nice tap in Birdie gets Brian one under par. Open champion couple years ago. 15 Eagles on the golf course. Six of them have come on this hole. Billy, it’s on its way. Well, the only thing that could stop it would be the flag stick or the hole. Large greens means you can get some long undulating putts. Believe he said, “How is it that fast?” Got away from him and will be far more than he bargained for birdie to 17. Oberg on the tee at the par three. Get him to launch that T- shot way up there. Not bad. You get it another five yards and you got a chance to get it really close. But that’s a good shot. Hatton for birdie in a round of 68. There we are. Give us a smile. That’s an excellent round of golf. [Music] Bryson for birdie. This be a good one to get back up the hill. Put some speed in your hand with him. Just like that. P. Yeah. to to let that drive have been wasted would have been a shame and it was not. Fights back to even again and plays with a lot of emotion. Fun to watch, but it is kind of amazing some of the drives he’s hit. That’s only his second birdie of the day. So I think that that exhale from Dambo speed he was came up well short on 17 some good touch there but he’ll have that left for par four over for his first round and he’s looking frustrated to eight and Aaron Ry at eight shorter par four dead center good look for Ry. Okay, he’s battled back and forth, but now just one shot off the lead from 101 yards. See if it comes back. It does. Aaron Ry going to have that birdie putt to tie the lead at five under to 18. Somehow go right. Thomas’s approach on its way. And oh, he got lucky. And from there, I don’t know if there could possibly be I don’t know if he’s going to be able to hit it. He might try to might try. But well, what a disappointing finish there after coming back from four over. See more of Kawa’s plan of attack. Well, limited options. They considered slamming it up into the hospitality. tent across the creek. That actually clipped some trees coming out. Oh, what a mess. Not too sure what he was trying there. Pitch it out. Give yourself an opportunity to make par with your third in a putt and eliminate double bogey. That’s now not the case. So the green’s wide open and Johnson is well landed on the green. Will it stay there? I think he’d rather pitch it than hit another putt. Well, ends up against Coller and it’s going to be heavy lifting for this group. Another look at Thomas’s approach which hit a rock at this point. Looks like he might get lucky and yes and no. Not in but no shot. And it’s been such a fight after the poor start. See the shoulder slump. You got to just gather himself. Check back on that as we go back a hole to 17. Ligberg long birdie putt and I don’t think he’s all that optimistic that it’s going in based on that walk. Way short. It’s been an interesting year for him. They’ve been really good still off the tea. Just the rest of his game hasn’t been quite as good to 16. And Victor Havlin, makes his way to 16, 17, 18, and two. He’s going directly at that bunker, but it’s going to be short. A fairway for Havland. We still have plenty of work to do now. Bryson. Well, we’re going to wind one up here. 34. This is large. This is large. 340 something to carry the bunker. He has done. Oh, okay. I thought the whole idea of moving the tea back was that nobody could do that. Yeah. Well, he just did it by 15 and then some to 17 and over. It’s not fair. I hope Mr. Harris isn’t watching. They back that thing up again. Okay, that’s from 10 ft out to save. That’s big. Prevent backto back bogeies. Stay one under par. That’s a nice one from Oberg. Okawa has dropped here. John, what was he trying to do on the second shot? Well, he was trying to lay it up on the other side of the creek and be about 50 yards closer than he is now. Straight at him. Yep. You think that was a smart play? I mean, I think if you’re going to be dumb, go all in and go ahead and hit five iron and and bang it around the hospitality area and drop it up there. Sit right there. All right. All right. Let’s see what we options Thomas has. Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Well, I do know that he’s quite capable left-handed. It looks like he might be able to get steep on the ball and laces are coming up. All right, here we go. It looks like he can get steep on the ball and and and jam it into the face of the hill on the other side of the creek. Can you uh just to kind of hold on to like hold Can you hold it? You know what I’m saying? slide down. Well, it wouldn’t be late afternoon coverage of the PGA on Thursday without some clothes coming off. Matt Minister and Justin trying to work out a plan. I’ve got the water temperature at about 74.5 where you go. In theory, it looks like it’ll work, but when you have to get so steep, you could whiff this. That was something I didn’t want to say. He can catch that rock on the down swing and never hit mother earth. I feel like I could aim I’d aim this over here and just kind that way. You know what I mean? I just commit to more room. Yeah. Like you know over the left side is more the fact that you not trying to lift it up. Well, that’s what I’m saying. If we can get it just on the fringe or even the first cut over there. And if you do hit it, you’re probably going to hit it way too hard. Just trying to make sure you get it. There’s a lot of things that could go wrong here and very few that can go right. Looks like he’s going to commit to this shot and try to pull it off. Wow, that’s incredible. No, it’s better than that. [Music] something you don’t practice very often back at home. Well, I did walk the back nine with him yesterday. Did not see him with a shoe off attempt anything like this at any point in time. Actually had an issue with his little toe. I believe it was the other foot. Let’s take some looks at this fellas and just assess the degree of difficulty in the execution. I mean, he’s got to get up and down now, right? Well, when you when you’re hitting a shot like this, it’s all about your hand eye coordination, nothing else. Had to see in his mind and then be able to pull it off because it’s nothing you’d have practiced. tremendous birdied three in a row. He’s fought back to get to one over and that chance to save par. So while JT was doing a sock hop at 18, Havlin at the 16th, his second and this from 228 actually a little bit of help from the wind. That’s a five iron. May grab some green. Well, no. He’s going to continue on towards the rough on the left. Victor putting together a solid round at two now to eight. And Aaron Ry to tie the lead at five under just under six feet. He’s going to want that one back. He’s had two of those, Mattie, that just burned edges. Five very nearly went and now that one and Bryson after a 362 yd drive is probably in a pitching wedge now. 171 yards. Well, he’s going to take a little off maybe with a nine iron. Well, the sacrifices and I think that’s just understanding this hole location. I know that’s 50 ft to the right of the hole, but sometimes that’s what you have to do. And now Morocawa the attempted layup went all wrong and that will cost him. Almost started with the poor T- shot out to the right, but then a poor decision. Still a round under par. Yep. Not not unlike Rory at the Masters. Played better than the final score in the first round, but the one mistake there cost him two. Very solid round of golf. Looked like it was stress-free for the most part until the last. Yeah, he didn’t need to make the second mistake. That’s what caused him to double. It’s pretty easy to make a five from over there, Curtis. Well, absolutely. You’re going not going to hit it in every fairway. You’re going to miss some shots, but recovery is how you keep the momentum and scores going. How you win golf tournaments. Well, now for the momentum. Incredible save. Can Thomas get up and down? Well, the only green he didn’t in one putt on this side, he chipped in. A lot of break from West Ride in this putt, though. [Applause] [Music] Unable to make what would have been a miraculous four 73 for the two-time PGA champion Justin Thomas. Just past 6:30 here. Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina. Gerard and Davis continue to lead at five under. I will have an opportunity to join [Music] them. Victor Hoblin still on the golf course. Two under par. And NBA countdown coming your way. 7:30 and Denver needs it. Jay Gilis Alexander and the Thunder have been brilliant in fourth quarters. Nicole Yic was absolutely out of his mind in game five. But the Nuggets were unable to win. Jamal Murray battling illness. Will he be available? That’s at 8:30. [Music] We take a look at how the famed green mile is playing. 16, 17, and 18. 16 is the most difficult hole on the golf course, surpassing both 1 and 18 from years past. Speaking of 18, Oberg has found the pine straw off the tea. We’ll have to scramble from here. Ken Brown, did he catch a limb coming out of there? Got lucky. Well, got through, but his third will come from the deepest rough on the golf course, which isn’t US Open deep, but it’s very, very dense. Let’s take another look. Well, he looked like he had some bit of a window, but got the ball up in the air too quickly, caught the limbs, and came down. But he had to hit a low burning cut, which is one of the tougher shots you want to try to execute. Victor Havlin’s third at the 16th. Havlin. The chipins continue. And of the four birdies at the 16th, gentlemen, three have come from off the green. Who needs to putt? We are witnessing Dr. Chapinsky’s everywhere now as we go to 17. We haven’t seen many in that bunker, have we? Not too many today at the par three. Long bunker shot for Tom Kim. And a good bunker shot. Really [Applause] good. That’s not easy. I They’ll have that left to save Par. Back to 16. And Bryson’s got the putter in hand, which means birdie is probably not going to happen, but he’s going to give it a whack. So after the 362 yd drive, a stress-free par coming at the 16th and we go to nine. Four under. It’s Aaron Ry with a hybrid. Get it way up in the air. This distance hybrids are so much easier to hit than those long irons. That’s it. Beautiful. Beautiful shot. Getting better all the time. Great shot. Ry opportunity to join the lead playing in his third PGA championship [Music] here. Five magic trick in the ball from CPO seemed to levitate momentarily. A little technical glitch, but the shot was spot on. Spectacular. How about PGA champion Shawn McKielle at the sixth. Played pretty well. Three over par. Doesn’t play a whole lot anymore. would like to play some of the champions tour, but look out almost. Said he’s only played one tournament this year. So, uh, good to see him here. Good to see him hitting good shots like that. Who can forget the last shot he hit at Oakill? One of the all-time greats. One of the all. Nice to tap in and say thank you for the trophy. Truly was Oberg’s third was on the way as we joined the coverage of that shot and a sensational one at that as Oberg try to complete a round under par. That would be two good par saves in a row for Ludvig. Still one under. Third for Spath. have an uphill putt to try to make. You know, he drove in the middle of the first hole, then just kind of whiffed an iron shot and just didn’t set the tone for the day. Third for Justin Rose at 15. And a touch of class there. And worth mentioning, you could not handle defeat with more grace. you can honor yourself in defeat and he did with how he embraced his friend Rory Mroy twice that man has been low after 72. Nobody beat him at Augusta. Didn’t win either good jacket. Lost both in playoffs. Good point to 17. Tom Kim saved his par. The only player all day to be in that bunker and make a par. And now Havlin on the tea at 17. That is a great start line. Yeah, right where the shots that have gotten close have been on that line. And you need to land it. I mean, it’s such a small area. That’s unlucky. That is unlucky. Now Bryson’s turn. I’ll just cruise a little seven iron in there. Seven. Is that any good from 227? Is that any good? It might go in. Get in. Oh my gosh. One of the hardest par threes in the world. And he almost made it. I know we’ve been talking about all the the chipins and hole outs. This would have topped them all, wouldn’t it? That is the perfect shot. 30s have been hard to come by for Grayson today. He’s going to tap that one in and have his third. Wow. Yeah, he does practice a lot at his house trying to haul out, you know. He does. So would have just been another one. True. Actually, no, it wouldn’t have been. Incredible shot from the Shambo. And here Rose. [Applause] Gaddy Fooch removes the flag and that’s a birdie. what has been a difficult first round speed to save par. It’s been a ragged old back n couple of fairies, a couple of greens. He’s scrapped well, but can’t afford to do that. Been a big struggle. That was always right, wasn’t it, Brownie? disappointment as it’s 76 as his ninth attempt to win this championship, the Womaker, which would complete the career slam. The first 18 would make that a very unlikely occurrence here. Let’s see if Oberg could make this one. What are you seeing it, Ken? Not an awful lot and it would be an amazing park because I thought he’d chip it out sideways, but he had to aim at the little river and chomp at a bit of cut spin. That’s why his ball went clip the tree. So this to save his par. What a what a bonus. Just love how he goes about everything he does, whether it’s a putt or a shot. steps in, goes about his business quickly, picks his line, and that is a tremendous four from a spectacular talent. Looks like he doesn’t worry about the outcome because there’s nothing he can do about it. Hit the green at the PGA Championship with ESPN Bet Sports Book. Start off the tournament with $100 in bonus bets when you make your first $10 wager. Download the ESPN app and sign up with promo code birdie to get started today. Another attempt for Ry to tie the lead. Pretty flat. A little bit from his left. That would have been like stealing a shot in the field. Truly, you’ve seen quite a few of Ry shots. He’s had just sort of technically an awfully clean round. To say better than 67 feels silly, but it almost feels as if he’s played better than that. You can’t do much better than this man did on 17. I would say officially 3 in the average distance to the hole at 17. 61 ft. That was a little bit better than average. What a two. It sure looked like it was going in the hole right there, didn’t it? Was just carrying slightly too much pace for the break to allow it to drop. Huh. Okay. We We have had a hole in one today. That was on number four. Matt, you were on it. Yeah, this was perfect. Seven iron and Cole just couple of hops and in on a day, gentlemen, where look, we’ve seen some of the best in the world fight their way around the course, but we’ve had a number of highlights. Long putts, chipins, hole in ones. It’s certainly been a day where the course has shown its teeth at some of the best in the world, but we’ve also had plenty of highlights. You know, anybody can hit do what we’ve seen today. Make some shots, chips, and putts, but nobody can hit it where this guy hit it over on 16. You mean you No. Yeah. And you don’t hit seven irons, 227. Ry finishes up. Sensational round. Just the one shot dropped on 18 and it’s a round of 67 on five. Jonathan Vegas. Yes, sir. Johnny Vegas with two in a row and a par five to play. 17. So here’s Havlin and Billy. You call that result a little unlucky. Hit a really nice T- shot. Yeah, he really did. I mean, you know, to have to negotiate this shot and even though it’s pretty flat, it’s not that easy because of contact. He took a really lofted club there, Billy. Surprising. The more loft you use, the more room, the more error is a possibility. Absolutely. Get it on the ground. Get it rolling like a putt. You hit the pitch a little more solid, the better. [Music] First round of the PGA Championship here at Quail Hollow continues. Going to get these final groups of the house. See if anyone can join the lead at 500. [Music] [Music] Take a look at the FedEx Cup standings. Rory Mroy just ahead of multiple winners. Seth Straa, Justin Thomas, Scotty Sheffller, Andrew Novak, all winners after the Masters. All right, we see Kim second now on 18. This is dangerous. He hates it. And there’s very little green to work with. It’s going to take a bit of magic. Downhill the hole. Downhill bunker shot. Tom McKibben for his birdie attempt at 14. Down the hill super fast. Catch some hole. There you go. That gets him to one [Applause] under. Score and red numbers today is a good start. Clark into the creek off the tee. He’ll play his third line up. Ball below his feet. Yeah, I totally agree. Coming down on the flag. Perfect. Come on. So Ellis giving him a boy. Words of encouragement. Tough to keep your balance. Hit the ball solidly. Look fat. Andy, we talked about it yesterday. Walking. They continue to try to hit driver. If you lay up to the bunker, which is right at 300, that the fairway is almost 35 yds wide and they’re still going to hit a six or seven iron net, right? The fairway is so much wider, just short of that bunker. But, you know, the way the guys play today, it’s just hit driver every hole. It just makes this a more difficult hole in my opinion. So, he’ll have much work to do. Back on the T. We’ve seen monster drives on 15 and 16. He nearly hold it on 17. Well, he didn’t automatically go to the driver, but ultimately decided on the driver. There you see the aerial view. He’s got to go down the left edge of the fairway to keep it in the middle of the fairway. just tiny to the left and there you have it. That’s over the bunker way into the crowd. Hit and drop and I’m not saying you have to play defensive off the tea, but you have if you’re not comfortable, do what’s right. Put it in the play. Put it in play. I asked Jack Nicholas one time how he decides what he hits off the tee. He said, “I stand in the tee and I look at it with the driver. If I don’t feel comfortable, I go to 3-wood. If I don’t feel comfortable, I’ll go down to whatever club I’m comfortable hitting in the fairway.” I remember you sharing that story at Wingfoot after Phil Mickelson on the 72nd pole. Really tough shot here downhill to the hole and trying to get cute and didn’t get it out of the bucker as we described. when he knocked it in that bunker. So little green to work with was going to have to land it just barely out and was unable to. And so not unlike Morawa, Justin Thomas groups that preceded Kim, he’s done a lot of heavy lifting and we’re seeing it happen to Clark here as well. I mentioned earlier 18 has not played statistically as difficult as it has through the years, but there’s a big number lurking at any moment. Fourth for Clark. Pretty good shot hold right there out of that deep rough. have to make that to avoid dropping two here. And his breakthrough victory here in record fashion now for the second time. Kim playing his fourth. Now this has to land just on the edge of the green. Just touch further than you suggested, Curtis. And he’ll have that for bogey. Colorado handing him the putter and Havland two off the lead on the T. Goodness. See if there’s a line of sight issue and if there’s relief to come after birdie on 14. Good looking shot there. Maybe ah was hit hard. Well, that’ll be tough. That’ll be tricky. Have to try to land it probably short of the green. Carrying a pace to get through. Check back with that in a moment. Six Johnny Vegas. He’s to four under par at the par three and should stay at four under. So, as the day’s gone on, he’s crept up the leaderboard. Oh, some uh malards. Curtis. Yes, a lovely pair. Our aerial coverage provided by Goodyear celebrating the drive in every champion still always forever. More golf shots, maybe more wildlife still to come here at the PGA. coverage of the 107th PGA Championship. continues from Quail Hollow. You see what Bryson is dealing with. We’ll get back to his issues in a moment. Can Chem make the bokei after leaving one in the bunker. Oh, that’s unkind. Windom Clark made his lengthy bogey putt. Tom Kim grinded hard to get a couple under. Gives them both back even par after 18 holes. All right, we’re just past 7 East Coast time. There’s a winner or go home game for the Nuggets at 8:30 Eastern NBA Countdown coming at the bottom of the hour. We’re with you until then. Victor Havlin went left. Bryson Dashambo went right. Havlin from the left. Rough. There’s a look at it. Yeah. Actually had to take relief from the shalets. 220. I mean ball below your [Applause] feet that ends up in the bunker. saw the difficulty just a moment ago of maintaining your posture and your angle getting clean contact in the rough. And here’s what we’ve got. You see that DMBO’s certainly not the first to end up over here. No. 182. And uh I mean you just have to keep it so low or you can take it upstairs. [Music] And that comes up short of the bunker. But the power, Curtis, that you talk about just to be able to muscle it through that rough, go up and over on display. Well, you saw that uh that size of the divot. Now back over at 15. McKibben, 22-year-old lives in Dubai, born in Northern Ireland. That’s a bit of class right there. What a shot. What a touch. Taps in for Birdie. Now Woodland from the middle of the fairway. He had one of each. Well, he had a nice up and down back at 17. Good drive here. Good looking at iron shot outside 175 yds. Go ahead, Woody. It’s been a tough day, but it’s a nice way to [Applause] finish. See if he can add to the birdie collection 18. Hard not to root for this guy. Agreed. injuries last number of years. Of course, we’ve had the brain surgery to remove a benign tumor. Foright, sorry, frightening for he and his family and all of us, but just vulnerable about the struggle and so open about his appreciation for the way that the community and the game has wrapped their arms around him. Woody is absolutely one of the best there is. and uh he has a massive family within the game that uh truly love him and uh he’s just happy to be out here doing his thing and we’re happy to be able to watch him. He’ll come back. He’s too good athlete determined. This is Compost with his third shot out of the bunker at the seventh playing down the hill. Oh, is able to put enough spin on it. That was really, really well done. That will get him four under. That’s That’s bravery defined. Yesterday in rehearsal, they were shown video of a snake. Don’t like them. Heights, it’s a whole other thing. I don’t know what’s worse. But we appreciate the men and women working hard for for us to give us that particular shot right there. Beautiful look at a beautiful but very difficult hole into hour 13 of the coverage. Appreciate those of you that were up early on ESPN Plus or at any point in the coverage. This pretty doable, Billy Cratcher, don’t you think? Oh, absolutely. And you know, now that I kind of think about the wedge coming up and over the trees, he took that variable out of maybe the club grabbing and turning the ball left into the penalty area left. Was pretty smart. And this is pretty straightforward. It just all depends on the first bounce. Curtis, he gets that firm first bounce. He can get it all the way up in the hole cuz it’s uphill all the way. Yeah, looks like he’s got a some type of wedge. Putting it back in the stance. Going to hit a low low burner. Almost. Mhm. Close. Not pleased with it. Take another look. You see he had the ridge just short of the hole to climb and he’s not happy but very makeable par save. He’s able to make it. Think a bit about Scotty Sheffller as well. Neither had their very best, but Scotty shot two under par. Bryson would have that for a round of one under par. And there’s still 54 holes to go for two of the very best in the world. Hoblin’s third. Well, the bunker play has been good today. He’s been able to get it up and down when he’s been in the bunker. Sit right there. That’s another good shot. Excellent. Good to see him back playing well. He struggled for the last year and a half or so and struggled early this year until all of a sudden out of the blue he won one in Tampa. Surprised him and everybody. And from Kansas, Gary Woodland. But Andy, you know, when you all of a sudden you win, it just changes your entire attitude, your confidence level. You forget how great he was during the FedEx Cup a couple of years ago. He was amazing. It’s nice to see him back in contention again. You know, we talk about, you know, tournaments disrupt traffic patterns. They disrupt everything in town for a good reason, a good cause. But these guys have had it tough this week. Actually, they have it. It’s a good weather for a duck, they say, right? When it rains, it has been pretty good weather for them the last four or five days. 17. The familiar rehearsal of Justin Rose. at 17. It’s worked. Trying to work his way back to the left. but short on that tightly moan area. All right, now back to 18. We’ve seen this putt plenty of times, Scott. It’s just slightly uphill and as you see just a bit from the right. Yeah, pretty much locked in right here, Curtis. I mean, he took a long hard look at this. started left from the start. It did. Prior to that puck for 47 rounds in red numbers, 16 of them were one under and we will lose one with Bryson dropping a shot here on 18. All right, playing with Justin Rose. Brian Harmon. He’s got it to one under par. Good line. [Applause] Just a good full one, eh? Just wanted a little bit more. Get it over that ridge. Didn’t quite do it. Havlin at 18. log jam at three under. Havlin trying to remain there. And Curtis, it’s it’s a putt that’s directly opposite of what we just saw from Dashambo, except it’s down the hill. See exactly where that line is looking, Billy. And it doesn’t come back as much as he thought. Looked like he hit a good putt. Mhm. Like he hit it where he was looking, didn’t it, Curtis? Looked like it was going to dive much like Bryson’s putt, but it just didn’t do it. Well, it wasn’t the putt that caused the bogey. It was a T-shot. Still a good good round this afternoon. The man that has back-to-back top three finishes in this championship begins this one with a round of 69 to seven. Campos at the power five seventh to get four under after that nice play from over the green. He’s got another birdie hole coming up at eight. And that concludes Bryson. Even Paul. Yeah. Let’s go back over in the front nine to the seventh and see what Johnny Vegas is doing after a perfect T-shot. Have no trouble reaching this green in two. Starting to lose a little bit of the light. Few clouds have come in. We’ve seen so many players bail out to the left and then that leaves a fairly difficult pitch. Start left trying to cut it. I think it’s the hardest hole location on the hole. This little plateau there in the front left. Easy. And talk about a fast putt coming back down the hill. And he knows it. [Laughter] Thorbyson now his second at the eighth. Still 10 groups out on the course. Still grinding on that front nine as they started their tournament at the 10th. Back to 18 for birdie. For Gary Wen. Yes, sir. 14th birdie of the day at 18. So, a couple of bogeies and the one birdie for Woodler.