Title: PGA Championship 2024: Storylines to Watch After Round 1
The opening round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky was nothing short of exciting. With a broken course record, ideal weather conditions, and 64 players under par, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on as we head into Day 2. Let's take a closer look at some of the key narratives shaping up after the first 18 holes.
Can Xander Schauffele Maintain His Lead?
Xander Schauffele made history on Thursday, shooting the lowest round ever recorded in a major championship. Despite his impressive 9-under 62, there are questions about whether he can hold onto his lead. Schauffele has a track record of putting himself in contention at majors but struggling to close the deal on Sundays.
None of the last eight players with a multishot lead after the opening round of the PGA Championship have gone on to win. However, Schauffele's current form suggests he might be able to buck that trend. With eight top-10 finishes already this season, added length off the tee, and sharp iron play, he seems to have figured out his putting as well.
The field chasing Schauffele is stacked with talent though. Rory McIlroy, despite a "scrappy" round, sits just four shots back, while defending champion Brooks Koepka looms after a first-round 67. Scottie Scheffler also impressed in his return from a three-week break. The 21 players within six shots of the lead have a combined 17 major titles between them, so Schauffele will have his work cut out for him to capture his first.
Viktor Hovland's Resurgence
After a breakout 2023 season that included four wins, many expected Viktor Hovland to be a major contender in 2024. Instead, he's struggled, missing the cut at the Masters and registering just one top-20 finish so far.
Hovland stopped working with swing coach Joe Mayo in the offseason and tried to change his swing, which seems to have derailed his progress. But after an opening round 3-under 68, Hovland confirmed he's back working with Mayo and recently met with him in Las Vegas to get his game back on track.
The results were evident on Thursday as Hovland gained over three strokes on the field, drove the ball better, and showcased an improved short game. While one strong round doesn't guarantee he's truly back to top form, it's an encouraging sign that Hovland may be poised for the major breakthrough many predicted, even if it comes a bit later than expected.
Sahith Theegala's Perseverance
One of the fastest rising stars on the PGA Tour, Sahith Theegala, posted an impressive bogey-free, 6-under 65 in the first round. What makes his performance even more remarkable is that he wasn't even sure he'd be able to tee it up at Valhalla.
Theegala slipped a rib while getting into a golf cart two weeks ago. After three painful chiropractic adjustments, aggressive rehab, and a T52 finish at last week's Wells Fargo Championship, he's clearly feeling better. It's not the first time he's dealt with this injury, so Theegala knows he needs to focus on strengthening his back muscles to prevent future issues.
His ability to bounce back and excel despite this setback is a testament to Theegala's mental fortitude and bodes well for his chances of contending this week and cementing his status as one of the game's brightest young talents.
Rainy Forecast and Course Conditions
Valhalla was already playing soft due to earlier rain, contributing to the exceptionally low scoring on Thursday. With more precipitation in the forecast, particularly on Friday and Saturday, the course may not firm up much over the next few days.
The zoysia grass fairways, installed three years ago with the intent of creating firmer and faster conditions, are holding tee shots and approach shots. This is allowing players to fire at pins and make birdies even with longer irons.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy noted that while the greens could get a bit firmer, he still expects low scoring to continue. The benign conditions are a far cry from the brutal setups often associated with the PGA Championship, so it will be interesting to see if the course can provide a stiffer challenge as the week progresses.
Big Names with Work to Do
A record 64 players finished under par in the first round, with 84 at even par or better. But not everyone took advantage of the scoring opportunities. Several big names will have to go low on Friday to avoid missing the 36-hole cut, which includes the top 70 and ties.
Among those needing a strong second round are Ludvig Åberg and Adam Scott at 1-over, Tiger Woods and Rickie Fowler at 2-over, and Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson at 3-over. As Woods noted, you can't win if you don't make the cut, so expect these proven winners to come out firing in an attempt to extend their stays in Louisville.
LIV Golfers in the Mix
The performance of LIV Golf players at Valhalla is being closely watched, and several are in contention after 18 holes. Defending champion Brooks Koepka's 4-under 67 was the best of the bunch, while Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, and a resurgent Martin Kaymer are just three shots further back after posting 68s.
Jon Rahm, who has scaled back his schedule significantly since joining LIV, had an up-and-down even-par round that included both club throws and laughter. Whether he can find more consistency and make a move on Friday will be a key storyline to follow.
Talor Gooch, one of the more controversial figures in the LIV-PGA Tour dispute, rallied late with three birdies in his final four holes to salvage an even-par round. His presence on the leaderboard over the weekend would undoubtedly generate buzz, for better or worse.
The End of the Road for Michael Block
Club pro Michael Block captivated fans with his T15 finish and hole-in-one at last year's PGA Championship, but a second straight made cut looks unlikely after an opening 76 that began with a quadruple-bogey 8 on the second hole.
Block was attempting to become the first club pro to play the weekend in consecutive PGA Championships since Tom Wargo in 1992-93. Despite the disappointing start, you have to admire Block's resilience in playing even par the rest of the way after his disastrous beginning.
The low club pro after Round 1 is Jeremy Wells, who fired a 2-under 69, becoming just the second club pro in the last 20 years to break 70 in the opening round of this event. Wells benefited from a practice round with Scottie Scheffler and Max Homa on Wednesday, an experience that helped settle his nerves on the big stage.
The stage is set for a fascinating second round at the 2024 PGA Championship. Can Xander Schauffele defy history and maintain his lead? Will Viktor Hovland and other stars build on promising starts? And how will the course conditions and weather impact the scoring as the weekend draws closer?
With so many compelling storylines to track, golf fans are in for a treat as the year's second major continues to unfold at Valhalla. One thing is for certain: the leaderboard is packed with incredible talent, setting the stage for an exciting finish to crown the next PGA Champion.
