PGA Championship up for grabs, top players bogged down in the mud
The top players in the world were left stuck in the mud after the first round of the PGA Championship — that’s not hyperbole. After four straight days of rain preceding the tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina, the conditions at Quail Hollow are the story at golf’s second major.
What slowed down the best players in the world?
The power pairing of Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion, playing alongside Masters champ Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had all kinds of trouble with wet fairways and deep rough on Thursday, May 15. All three players made double-bogey on the 16th hole, and Scheffler did not hold back when explaining things during his post-round interview. He said the officials shouldn’t punish him for hitting his drive right in the middle of the fairway.
“It’s frustrating to hit the ball in the middle of the fairway and get mud on it and have no idea where it’s going to go,” Scheffler said. “I understand it’s part of the game, but there’s nothing more frustrating for a player. You spend your whole life trying to learn how to control a golf ball, and due to a rules decision, all of a sudden, you have absolutely no control over where that golf ball goes.”
What rule is frustrating Scheffler and others?
The rule decision in question is whether to play a “preferred lie” when the course conditions are so soggy. Weekend amateurs may know the rule as “lift, clean and place,” which lets players clean their ball and place it no closer to the hole before taking the next shot. It’s a benefit not typically available in major championships and the PGA of America made it clear in a statement Wednesday evening, they would not allow it. Knowing the decision beforehand didn’t placate Scheffler.
“I understand how a golf purist would be, ‘oh, play it as it lies,’” Scheffler said. “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 by chance.”
Scheffler, who finished his first round three shots off the lead after a 2-under 69, wasn’t the only one complaining. After shooting a 1-over 72, Schauffele sarcastically told ESPN it was almost better not to hit the ball in the fairway.
Who is playing well despite the conditions?
But the conditions didn’t bother everyone. Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas took the lead with five birdies on his final six holes and has a two-shot lead heading into Friday’s second round after shooting a score of 64. Right behind Vegas, Australian Cam Davis and North Carolina native Ryan Gerard, who shot matching rounds of 5-under 66. Gerard played his college golf at the University of North Carolina and rode a wave of support through the bog.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play this golf course a few times. And all of that is fantastic, and it’s definitely helped in the preparation,” Gerard said. “But overall, I just feel really comfortable. I love being here. It’s a fantastic place. North Carolina, in general, they show out for their guys in light blue. I heard so many ‘Go Heels’ today and just appreciate everyone that’s supporting.”
The course at Quail Hollow Club began to dry out during the afternoon and should be much firmer and faster for Friday’s second round and over the weekend, provided there are no more downpours.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
