DeChambeau clubhouse leader at weather-hit PGA
Bryson DeChambeau delivered a credibility boost to LIV Golf, firing a four-under par 66 to seize a one-stroke clubhouse lead in Thursday's darkness-halted opening round of the PGA Championship. The slimmed-down 2020 US Open champion, coming off 2022 left wrist surgery, struck a competitor with an errant shot but the 29-year-old American managed six birdies against two bogeys to top those who finished 18 holes at formidable Oak Hill in Rochester, New York. There were 30 players still on the course when play was halted, the finish delayed after Thursday's round started one hour and 50 minutes late due to frost. Among those yet to finish was US PGA Tour rookie Eric Cole, who was ahead on the course at 5-under through 14 holes, making six birdies against a lone bogey. "I played solid for the most part and got a couple of good breaks when I needed them," said Cole, son of 25-year LPGA veteran Laura Baugh and South African Bobby Cole, who was third at the 1974 PGA Championship. "It was a good day." DeChambeau said the same. "I hit my putts really well and drove it nicely," DeChambeau said. "I faced some tough challenges and was able to execute the way I wanted to and, man, it feels really good." DeChambeau sent his approach at 17 into the 18th tee box, striking rival player Kenny Pigman in the right arm but not hurting him. DeChambeau was among the PGA Tour players who jumped to Saudi-backed LIV Golf, which offered record US$25 million purses and 54-hole events some said would ruin players for major competition. DeChambeau's effort and Masters runner-up efforts by Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson have proven LIV talent can compete for major titles. "It's just where we play at. It doesn't change the style of golfer we are," says two-time major winner Dustin Johnson, who opened on 67. The PGA Tour banned LIV players and their legal fight is set for trial in a year. In the meantime the majors are the only place where the best of both tours can compete. World number two Scottie Scheffler, fellow American Johnson of LIV and Canada's Corey Conners shared second in the clubhouse on 67. "It was a grind. The golf course was very tough," Scheffler said. "And I think these will be the easiest conditions we have all week." New Zealand's Ryan Fox, 2011 PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley, Norway's Viktor Hovland and 2013 Masters winner Adam Scott of Australia were on 68. (AFP)