The first round of the PGA Championship was marred by mud balls, which proved to be a significant challenge for many players. The conditions were particularly difficult on the 14th hole, where several players struggled to control their shots.
Key Incidents
- Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy all made double bogeys on the same hole after struggling with these difficult conditions.
- Scheffler’s ball landed in a muddy spot near his ball mark, and he was unable to get it out of the mud.
- Schauffele’s ball also got stuck in a patch of mud, resulting in an unplayable lie penalty drop.
- McIlroy’s shot landed in a muddy area, but he managed to escape without taking any penalty.
Player Reactions
Some players felt that playing from mud balls diminished their ability to control their shots.
- Jon Rahm commented, "I had some specks of mud on my ball, but managed to avoid any major problems with it." He noted that while he did not experience significant issues, other players may have been more severely impacted.
Notable Performances
- Luke Donald shot a four-under 67, successfully avoiding most of the mud issues in his group. His performance stood out among peers who faced difficulties due to the muddy conditions.
- "I played well today," Donald said after completing his round at Oak Hill Country Club in New York state.
- He acknowledged the challenges, stating, "It was tough because there were so many guys playing from bad lies."
- Donald credited his caddie for helping him navigate tricky situations during play, saying, "He helped me pick good spots off tees and fairways."
Current Standings
Donald is currently tied for third place alongside Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy after completing one round at Oak Hill Country Club. The challenges posed by mud balls are expected to continue throughout the tournament as players adapt to these unpredictable conditions.
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