Major Source of Encouragement at Southern Hills

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States: KH Lee carded his lowest round in a Major when he fired a one-under 69 in the first round of the PGA Championship to lie four strokes off the pace being set by Rory McIlroy.

The 30-year-old Korean, who successfully defended his AT&T Byron Nelson title on the PGA Tour last week, registered three birdies against two bogeys at Southern Hills to mark his first round in the 60s in his sixth career Major start.

“Last week was a very happy time for me and my family and hopefully I just keep the momentum,” said Lee, who sits as the highest placed Asian golfer in the year’s second Major at tied 16th place.

Compatriots YE Yang, who delivered Asia’s first Major victory at the 2009 PGA Championship, and Kim Si-woo, a three-time PGA Tour winner, opened with 71s for tied 38th position.

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama carded a 72 while Indian Anirban Lahiri opened with a 73 and Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana had a 75 (equal 114th).

Australians Cam Smith and Lucas Herbert and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox – like Lee, Kim and Matsuyama former Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) participants – made bright starts. Smith and Herbert posted 68s and are tied for seventh while Fox is joint 27th after an even-par 70.

It was tougher going for three other ex-AAC players. Australians Cameron Davis and Min Woo Lee shot rounds of 72 and 73 respectively, while Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, the 2018 AAC winner, struggled to a 77.

Prior to the PGA Championship, Lee had not broken par in his five previous starts in the Majors and has yet to make a cut. He shot 78 and 77 at the PGA Championship last year after his breakthrough at the Byron Nelson and missed the cut at the Masters Tournament last month following rounds of 74-75.

However, he is now riding on new-found form and confidence after going back to work with his old swing coach Chris Mayson, and his former mental trainer. He won last week with a winning total of 26-under.

“I try a new challenge,” said Lee of his Major quest. “Just try to keep my momentum. I want to always play well every week. Hopefully good for the whole week up until Sunday.”

Yang, who started playing on PGA Tour Champions after turning 50 this year, began well with two birdies on his front before being pegged back with four bogeys against a third birdie of the day. He has not made the cut in his last five starts at the PGA Championship.

McIlroy’s 65 is his best opening-round score to par in a Major championship since he opened the last of his four Major championship victories with a five-under 66 at the 2014 PGA Championship. He made four successive birdies on his outward nine before posting three more birdies against two bogeys to lead by one from Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge.