Scheffler sets pace as McIlroy and DeChambeau stumble at PGA Championship

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler made an ominous start to his PGA Championship title defence by grabbing a share of the early lead after the opening round at Aronimink Golf Club, while Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau endured nightmare days.

World No 1 Scheffler carded a three under par 67 to sit in a seven way tie at the top of a tightly packed leaderboard, continuing his remarkable consistency in the majors as he chases a fifth major title in as many years.

Joining Scheffler at the summit are Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune, Alex Smalley and former champion Martin Kaymer after a congested opening day in Pennsylvania.

Scheffler shines again

Scheffler looked far from comfortable early in his round and slipped back with a bogey at the fourth after opening with three straight pars.

The American quickly found his rhythm. Birdies at the sixth and seventh sparked his charge, with a stunning 40 foot putt at the seventh underlining the confidence in his game. He then birdied the opening two holes of his back nine to move into contention.

Although a three putt bogey at the 14th briefly slowed his momentum, Scheffler responded by taking advantage of the par five 16th before closing out an assured round in which he missed just one fairway.

“Definitely the best start I’ve gotten off to this year, maybe besides American Express,” Scheffler said afterwards.

“It’s a really tight leaderboard. At this moment, it’s anybody’s tournament. It’s nice to get off to a good start.”

Chasing pack close behind

Just one shot off the lead sits a group including defending 2024 champion Xander Schauffele, Patrick Reed, Shane Lowry and England’s Daniel Brown after opening rounds of 68.

Lowry produced one of the shots of the day when he chipped in for eagle at the par five ninth, while Reed stayed bogey free throughout his opening round as he searches for a second major title.

Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth are among the large group sitting on one under, with Spieth still hunting the major title that would complete the career Grand Slam.

Rahm finished strongly with birdies on his final two holes after earlier holing out from the fairway for eagle, while Spieth and Justin Thomas both dropped late shots to slip further behind.

McIlroy collapses late

Fresh from his Masters triumph, McIlroy’s bid for back to back major victories suffered a huge setback after a disastrous finish left him seven shots off the pace.

The Northern Irishman appeared well placed at level par with four holes remaining after draining a 30 foot birdie putt at the fifth. However, his round unravelled spectacularly as he bogeyed each of his final four holes to sign for a three over 74.

McIlroy admitted afterwards that his driving continues to be a major concern.

“I’m just not driving the ball well enough,” he said.

“It’s been a problem all year for the most part. I miss it right, and then I want to try to correct it. And then I’ll overdo it, and I’ll miss it left.

“So that’s pretty frustrating, especially when I pride myself on driving the ball well.”

With the cut line looming, McIlroy faces an uphill battle to force his way back into contention heading into day two.

DeChambeau faces early exit threat

DeChambeau’s hopes of finally going one better after back to back runner up finishes at the PGA Championship are already hanging by a thread following a miserable six over 76.

The two time US Open champion never recovered after a shaky start on the back nine, dropping shots on two of his opening four holes before consecutive bogeys from the 17th pushed him further down the leaderboard.

His round deteriorated badly late on. A failed par save at the seventh was followed by a nightmare at the par three eighth, where two poor chips led to a double bogey.

DeChambeau managed just one birdie all day at the par five ninth and heads into the second round nine shots behind the leaders and in serious danger of another missed cut at a major.