Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York hosts the second Major of 2023, the PGA Championship. Justin Thomas won the event back in 2022, with a dramatic play-off victory over Will Zalatoris. Jon Rahm goes into the tournament as favourite following his superb Masters victory at Augusta National back in April.

Tiger Woods may not be playing following his recent operation, but all the other world's best players are in action.

World No 1 Jon Rahm has struggled on his opening day at Oak Hill, while Viktor Hovland, Ryan Fox and Corey Connors have all enjoyed good starts. But it's currently Bryson DeChambeau who leads the way at -4. Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy battled back after a tough start to card a 71 (+1).

Keep up to date with all the latest news and score updates with our live blog.

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD 2023

• 1 DeChambeau -4

• T2 Scheffler -3

• T2 Conners -3

• T4 Bradley -2

• T4 Scott -2

• T4 Rose -2

• T4 Hovland -2

• T4 Fox -2

• T4 Straka -2

• T4 Pieters -2

Other notable scores:

• Day +6

• Rahm +6

• Fitzpatrick +6

• Spieth +3

• Reed +2

• Cam Smith +2

• Thomas +2

• Koepka +2

• McIlroy +1

USEFUL LINKS

• PGA Championship Tee Times

• PGA Championships Picks and Predictions

• Weather Forecast for PGA Championship

• All You Need To Know About 2023 PGA Championship

• How To Watch The PGA Championship

THE WEATHER FORECAST WAS CORRECT!

The weather forecast predicted a frosty start, and that is exactly what we have, hopefully it is the only delay of the tournament.

GARETH BALE HOLE IN ONE

While we wait for the pro golfers there has already been some action this morning - Gareth Bale got his first hole in one... and at Torrey Pines! Watch him hole out here

LOWRY SHOWS HOW COLD IT IS!

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Shane Lowry got his hurling stick out to show how cold it is in Rochester this morning!

WHO WILL WIN?

Oddschecker.com have clear favorites with Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler with the shortest prices. Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay just behind them.

Still waiting

We were told that 'further info' would be given by 7am (when play was due to start) regarding the delay in play caused by frost, This self-imposed deadline of 7am passed a few minutes ago with no further info given, Clearly we are in for a substantial delay.

How the Majors differ with regard to invitations to past champions

The PGA Championship and The Masters both give their past champions a lifetime exemption for qualifying for the tournament.

The US Open gives a 10-year exemption to its champion, while the Open winner qualifies for the event until they're 60 years old.

Missing champions

The most recent PGA Championship winner who is not playing this year is 2013 victor Jason Dufner. That year was also the most recent time that the tournament was held at Oak Hill.

Dufner finished two shots clear of runner up Jim Furyk. In the second round, he broke the course record when he carded a 63, which also tied the record for the lowest round in a Major. (This record was subsequently broken when Branden Grace shot 62 at Royal Birkdale in 2017.)

Sweden's David Lingmerth has replaced Dufner in the field for 2023.

Other absent past PGA Champions this year include Tiger Woods, John Daly, Martin Kaymer, Davis Love III and Vijay Singh.

Davis Love, 59, last played in the USPGA in 2020 and last made the cut in 2011. Singh, 60, has not played in a Major since the USPGA of 2018, when he came 78th. Daly, who withdrew this year through injury, has played most USPGAs since he win in 1991, but has not made the cut in one since 2012.

Update on start of play

Well sort of. We have been updated to be told that we will be updated by 7.30am. At present all facilities remain closed due to the frost. We had previously been told that the start will be about an hour and a quarter after the practice facilities open. Play had been due to begin at 7am, which is noon UK time.

Play to start at 8.50am

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Champions Dinner

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We get to hear loads about the Champions Dinner at The Masters, but little about the Champions Dinner at The PGA Championship held every year on the Tuesday before the tournament. This is a shame, as it sounds a bit more fun. Just like the Masters one, the defending champ decides the menu, however unlike The Masters, families have been invited and the tradition is that the host gives gifts to the guests. (When Phil Mickleson exempted himself from last year’s tournament, the so the PGA of America took over the gift-giving duties, presenting fire pits to the guests.)

The dinner started in 1965 when the PGA of America asked defending champion Bobby Nichols to preside over a meal for past champions, which 19 of the 20 past champions attended. The tradition of the host giving gifts started in the 1990s.

For this years menu Justin Thomas chose as his caterers Rao’s, a New York Italian restaurant founded in 1896 in East Harlem. Thirteen other past champions attended his dinner: Rich Beem, Keegan Bradley, Mark Brooks, Jason Day, Padraig Harrington, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy Collin Morikawa, Jeff Sluman, Justin Thomas, Shaun Micheel, Phil Mickelson and Jimmy Walker.

Quick quiz question– can you match these gifts with the champions who gave them out at their dinner?

GIfts: Korean ceramics; Bose wireless speakers; designer wallets; ostrich-leather cowboy boots; wooden clocks depicting the four time zones of the cities hosting that year’s Majors.

Champions: Rich Beem, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, YE Yang, Tiger Woods.

Gift answers

YE Yang = ceramics
Rory McIlroy = speakers
Brooks Koepka = wallets
Rich Beem = cowboy boots
Tiger Woods = clocks

How will the two-tee start now work?

The tournament will now start at 8.50am local time (1.50pm in the UK) with Shaun Micheel, Braden Shattuck and Steven Alker teeing off on the 1st. At 8.55am the first group to start from the 10th tee, will do so. This comprises Trey Mullinax, Josh Speight and Kazuki Higa. At 11-minute intervals on each tee a new three-man group takes to the course. That goes on up until 11.07am.

Then there is a pause in groups taking to the course, as the course is now full. It is only when the first groups leave the course that new ones can be added. The second wave of play starts at 2.15pm from the 10th tee and 2.20pm from the 1st.

Players remain in the same grouping for the first two rounds, A group which tees off on 10 in round one will tee of from the 1st in rounds two – and vice versa.

When are the biggest guns going out?

At 9.50am world number 2 Scottie Scheffler, tees off with Brooks Koepka, who was PGA Champion in 2018 and 2019, and Gary Woodland, the 2019 US Open winner.

The 10.01am group has five PGA Championship titles between them. The current PGA champion, Justin Thomas, who also won in 2017, is playing alongside world number 3 Rory McIlroy, PGA Champion in 2012 and 2014, and Collin Morikawa, who won in 2020.

The PGA Championship traditionally group together the previous three Major winners. Jon Rahm, the Masters champ, US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick and Open Championship winner Cameron Smith tee off at 10.23am today (3.23pm UK time).

Today’s pin positions

They are not putting them near the middle...

We’re finally underway

Hurrah! The 2023 PGA Championship has begun. First to tee off  Shaun Micheel. He is playing with Braden Shattuck and Steven Alker. Micheel found the middle of the fairway with a 283-yard drive, but Shattuck carved his opener off to the right and Alker missed the fairway on the left.

The PGA Championship has 20 places in it for club professionals, and Braden Shattuck is one of those who have qualified by this route. For 12 of them this is their first Major appearance, as it is for Shattuck.

That Shattuck would playing in a Major seemed unlikely a few years ago, when he was have trouble walking let alone swing a club, after a car accident. It was two years after the accident that he was able to swing a golf club properly again, albeit with a modified swing after the accident that had left him with disc damage in his back and nerve issues in his legs.

Director of instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club, near Philadelphia, by dint of winning the PGA Professional Championship at Twin Warriors Golf Club in New Mexico earlier this month, he will also gets some starts on the PGA Tour.

But of his chances this week the 28-year-old has said: “I don’t think it’s reasonable to think I can win the golf tournament and beat the best players in the world, but I think I can definitely make the cut this week.”

Just how tough is it?

The opening hole is called The Challenge. Kinda makes sense, especially as Ben Hogan once called this hole the toughest opening test in championship golf. But the second hole is called Breather. Just how exhausting is that first hole supposed to be?

It was very frosty this morning

Opening group all make pars

Despite going left, right and centre off the tee, all the players end up in the hole after four shots on the 460-yard first hole. That should steady Shattuck's nerves after that wayward tee shot. All 156 players are still tied for the lead.

Happy memories

Shaun Micheel has made bogey on the 2nd. He is the only one of the three previous winners of the PGA Championship around Oak Hill to be playing this week. In 1980 Jack Nicklaus won the USPGA here, as did Jason Dufner in 2013. The US Open has been held here three times – in 1956, 1958 and 1989, when the winners were, respectively, Cary Middlecoff, Lee Trevino and Curtis Strange. The club has also hosted the Senior PGA Championship twice, in 2008 and 2019.

We have a leader

Whatever else happens in his sporting life, Kazuki Higa can say he was leading the 2023 PGA Championship, This is courtesy of the first birdie of the day, made by him on his second hole, the 11th.

Casey misses out on his starting berth in the PGA Championship for second year running

The group of Adam Svensson, Beau Hossler and Sam Stevens have taken to the course, starting at the 1st tee. World number 130 Stevens is a replacement for Paul Casey, who withdrew with injury for the second successive year due to injury.

Casey, a LIV golfer, had been a controversial inclusion in this year’s tournament as he did meet the selection criteria. However he was one of those given a special invitation. It was thought that he was invited after missing last year's championship, for which he had qualified in various ways, including by coming T4th at the 2021 PGA Championship.

Shot of the day so far

Scott Stallings holes his approach from 128 yards on his first hole, the 10th, for an eagle which takes him immediately into the lead.

That lead-taking eagle by Stallings

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What score might be needed to win round Oak Hill?

Well if history is any guide, here is that guide:

Kazuki Higa takes the lead

Starting on the 10th he has gone par, birdie, birdie, birdie.

Local support for McIlroy

He is a member at Oak Hill and there are several of cries of "come on Rory" as he walks down the fairway.

The four golfers with the most top 10s in Majors since 2015 are Rory McIlroy, 17; Brooks Koepka, 16; Dustin Johnson, 15; and Jordan Spieth, 13. Koepka, Johnson and Spieth have won nine Majors between them in that time; Rory none. The most recent of McIlroy’s four Major titles was in August 2014.

Worth waiting for

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Fourth birdie in a row for Higa

The Japanese golfer is on fire. He is now four under after five holes.

Thomas begins his title defence well

He makes a long birdie putt on his first hole.

Higa's birdie run ends

He makes par in his sixth hole, the 15th, but he is still two shots clear of the field. Fox and Stallings share second spot.

Joining the fray

The flight of Lee Hodges, David Lingmerth and Callum Tarren have begun their round. England’s Callum Tarren was a replacement for LIV’s Martin Kaymer. Kaymer, the 2010 USPGA winner, had withdrawn explaining that after wrist surgery in the winter, and with LIV events the weeks before and after the PGA Championship, he did not feel able to play three weeks in a row. The PGA Championship comes between two LIV events.

The German finished 41st in the 48-player LIV field last week at Tulsa, and the Cleeks, the team he captains, finished last.

Tarren plays on the PGA Tour where he has yet to win. This is the 32 year old’s third Major appearance. His other two have come in the US Open – a missed cut in 2019, and a T31 finish last year.

That opening birdie putt by Justin Thomas

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Spieth is hunting a career grand slam

Five golfers have a career slam. Of the dozen players who have three out of four, three are still playing. Phil Mickelson, lacks the US Open, and Rory McIlroy The Masters. Jordan Spieth lacks the USPGA.

Spieth won the Masters and the US Open in 2015 and the Open in 2017. Having missed the cut in his first two PGA Championships, the next year, which was 2015, he finished runner up, In 2019 he came tied third, but his three most recent finishes in the USPGA have been T71, T30 an T34.

Spieth, who had  a wrist injury coming into the tournament, is 1 over after three holes.

*Can you name the quintet? Answer in five minutes if you cannot.

Answer: the five players with career grand slams

Gene Sarazen (pictured), Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. As if you didn’t know.

Higa's lead cut

He drops a shot on the 17th, his 8th hole, his first bogey of the round. He is now at 3 under, back to two shots clearof the field. Fifteen players are on 1 under par.

Hoodie and a cap?

Several players are weairng hoodies, Rory McIlroy (pictured), Justin Thomas and Cam Smith among them. All of them are wearing caps. Is it just me, or does the hood seem a tad redundant? What is the point of the hood if you already have a head covering?

We have a single player in second place

Someone has finally broken free from the gaggle of players on minus one, That man is 32-year-old Englishman Callum Tarren. He has done so by birdieing the 2nd and 3rd holes. He  plays on the PGA Tour where he has yet to win. However he won the PGA Tour China Order of Merit in 2018.

Wrist injury, what wrist injury?

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Joint leaders

Callum Tarren makes it three birdies in as many holes and he and Higa are tied for the lead on -3. Morikawa is now alone in third place on 2 under.

Ryder Cup planning

An all-European group is not appealing much to the US television director, especially not when it has been slotted in among the marquee groups. But Adrian Meronk of Poland and Yannik Paul from Germany are playing with European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.

This is the perfect chance to ingratiate themselves with the man who has six wildcard picks to make for the Ryder Cup side. Okay, I appreciate his is easier in club golf where you can hunt extra hard for the other chap’s ball and try to be the one that finds it each time; buy the first round at the19th etc. Trouble is, they don’t do much ball hunting at Majors, as any wayward shots tends to bounce off, or near, a spectator. Also I’m not sure the players all troop off together to the clubhouse for a pint afterwards. But you get the picture.

Mind you, one of them may not end up needing a captain’s pick. Automatic qualification goes to the three best players from European Points List, followed by the three best from World Points List who haven’t already qualified from the European one. Currently Paul is third in the European List, Meronk 5th. But only one slot is likely to available from this list as Rahm and McIlroy are in one and two and daylights separates them from the rest.

As Meronk stands 10th among Europeans on the Worlds Points List and Paul; 16th neither are likely to qualify from this route. So probably best to congratulate Luke on his good shots, laugh heartily if he cracks a joke and mention casually how the course at Marco Simone really suits their game.

Meronk is tied 5th on one under. Donald and Paul are T30 on one over.

Back to joint leaders

Keegan Bradley drains a long putt on 13 for a birdie. Having made birdies on 10 and 12, he joins Higa on three under.

Hoving into sight

Viktor Hovland likes some bold colours and patterns  in his outfits, and today's effort is no different. He started on 10, which he bogeyed, as he did 12. Then he made three consecutive birdies. He lies tied in sixth.

The third of those consecutive birdies for Hovland

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McIlroy out of sorts

He swished his driver angrily towards the tee marker on the 18th tee after his ball exited off to the right. He has yet to make a birdie and bogeyed 15 and 17, to be two over after 8.

Chance to go low?

There does not appear to be much wind today, but  it is forecast to pick up over the next few days. Now looks to be a good time to get a score going with the day warming up after a chilly start.

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HELLO AND GOOD EVENING!

Ed Carruthers here taking over from Rodeeick who has smashed today’s coverage!

It’s been a great start to this year’s tournament and I’ll be taking you through the next few hours of action live here on Golf Monthly, so don’t go anywhere!

Let’s just recap on the leaders and it’s been a fast start from Kazuki Higa and Keegan Bradley both sit at the top of the ladder today after going -3 in the opening exchanges.

Corey Connors, Ryan Fox and Sahith Theegala sit below them both on -2, followed by a chasing pack of several big names.

Right let’s get stuck into the action!

ICYMI - KURT KITAYAMA'S BIRDIE PUTT

Kurt Kitayama has really impressed with his putter lately and this fantastic putt is something you should certainly see!

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SCHEFFLER STAYS ONE UNDER

Scottie Scheffler gets his birdie to hole out for par and stays one under.

Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau, who has swapped his coach this week, is looking really good out there, and puts his chip within a couple of feet of the hole!

RORY'S IN THE ROUGH...

McIlroy has a really tough shot in here, but he works it really well, spinning his shot out onto the fairway.

It's a tough one but the best he can do.

He'll have a nice lay-up.

AND LOWRY GETS ONE BACK!

Shane Lowry hits a fantastic shot from off the green to hole out on the 10th, putting him +1 heading into the final eight holes.

Superb stuff from the Irishman.

SLOW PLAY?

There's been a bit of talk in the Scheffler/Koepka/Woodland group about slow play this afternoon.

Check out the video below and let me know what you reckon...

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PAR FOR KOEPKA ON 12

Brooks Koepka has made a couple of nice par saves to keep his round going and snags a par on the 12th too, he's currently at evens and is looking solid heading into 13.

Meanwhile, two-time PGA Championship winner, Justin Thomas has gone within a few feet of the hole!

RORY MCILROY HOLES OUT!

That will do Rory McIlroy TONS of confidence this week! He scrambles back from a torrid lie to putt in up hill over 20 yards to shoot a fantastic par!

THOMAS PARS TOO

Justin Thomas keeps his spot at fourth on the leaderboard, hitting a par to keep his score -1.

SKY SPORTS EXTENDS US OPEN COVERAGE

We've been talking a lot recently about the coverage of golf on television and in the media.

The Masters attracted a lot of criticism from fans for its coverage with many upset they couldn't watch early round coverage on TV.

The good news is, particularly for any viewers in the UK, that Sky will now be showing more golf on their channels after coming to a 'last-minute' deal to secure the rights to show the US Open for the next few years.

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RORY MCILROY IS BOUNDING HERE

He's just dropped the ball on the green with a stunning drive on the third hole. Can he keep it going? He's plus three right now with seven to go!

HOVELAND MAKING A MOVE ON THE TOP

After a chaotic start to his round carding two bogeys, Viktor Hovland has just four birdies in his last eight holes to go straight to the top of the leaderboard on -2.

BIRDIE FOR MCILROY!

His stunning drive pays off and he's back to +2!

... AND IF YOU'VE MISSED IT HERE'S HIS PAR SAVE!

It was an outstanding putt on the second hole from the Northern Irishman. He tapped it up a hill and straight down the drain - that'll hopefully give him a boost!

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PLENTY OF LIV PLAYERS IN ACTION THIS WEEK!

Brooks Koepka has just put a lovely approach shot onto the green at 12 and is one of a chasing pack of players sitting T9 on evens.

He's also one of several LIV players in contention this week. A couple of those big names include:

- Harold Varner III E

- Bryson DeChambeau E

- Cameron Smith +1

Dustin Johnson is yet to tee off.

VIKTOR MOVES INTO THE SOLE LEAD

Viktor Hovland takes the sole lead at -2 after a nice birdie on the par-3 second hole.

Theegala, meanwhile, moves back to -1, after bogeying the last two holes!

HOW TOUGH IS OAK HILL?

Scoring is fairly low at the moment, and in my opinion, that's a pretty good sign. Considering we've had a lot of discussions recently around nerfing equipment of late, it's interesting to see that this course is challenging the players today and no one, has yet, started to run away with the scoring. Yes, we're still only early in the tournament so that could change. But conditions may have played a part in that this morning, with the frost delaying play, but the wind seems to be picking up out there.

But the real question is, how would a club golfer get on going around this stunning golf course?

And it's clear among some of the golfers who are currently out there that an 18-handicap golfer would struggle out on the course.

Here's what Jordan Spieth and Billy Horschel think...

THE MASTERS CHAMPION IS HAVING A HARD TIME HERE

Jon Rahm has just dropped another score and moved back to +3 through 11

MOMENTUM BUILDING FOR MCILROY?

He's just tapped in a very easy birdie here on the 12th. While he did have an eagle putt, it was a long way out so he tees himself up to go down in two.

He's now +1!

Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka has dropped back to evens after a bogey on the fifth.

SCOTTIE CLIMBS TO SECOND

Scheffler is advancing on Ryan Cox who sits at the top of the leaderboard at -3.

The 2022 Masters Champion has had bogey-free round so far with three holes to play and he's just added a second birdie to his card, tapping in on the fifth.

Can he go all the way this weekend and claim his second major title?

THOUGHTS ON SCOTTIE'S YELLOW JUMPER?

Let's quickly have a look at some of the pics that tell the main stories of the day from Oak Hill...

BRYSON IS LOOKING BETTER

It's good to see Bryson DeChambeau doing well here. After a tough Masters back in April he'll be hoping to go one better here at Oak Hill and he's battling hard out there. Having hit two bogeys and three birdies he sits at -1 heading into the back nine.

But it's been a funny start to the week for Bryson who actually hit another player with an errant tee shot earlier!

Check out the full story here: Bryson DeChambeau Hits Fellow Competitor With Wayward Drive At PGA Championship

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BRYSON IS LOOKING BETTER

It's good to see Bryson DeChambeau doing well here. After a tough Masters back in April he'll be hoping to go one better here at Oak Hill and he's battling hard out there. Having hit two bogeys and three birdies he sits at -1 heading into the back nine.

But it's been a funny start to the week for Bryson who actually hit another player with an errant tee shot earlier!

Check out the full story here: Bryson DeChambeau Hits Fellow Competitor With Wayward Drive At PGA Championship

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SO LET'S RECAP ON THE LEADER BOARD!

Plenty of movement going on in the last hour! We've gone from one outright leader to now having two players tied for the lead. And it's pretty tight up there with one shot separating the top order right now!

T1 Ryan Fox -3

T1 Viktor Hovland -3

T3 Sahith Theegala -2

T3 Scottie Scheffler -2

T3 Corey Connors -2

T3 Keegan Bradley -2

T3 Bryson DeChambeau -2

T8 Justin Thomas -1

T8 Collin Morikawa -1

T8 Callum Tarren -1

T8 Justin Suh -1

T8 Mark Hubbard -1

T13 Harold Varner III E

T13 Beau Hossler E

T13 JT Poston E

T13 Luke Donald E

Other notable scores:

Brooks Koepka +1

Rory McIlroy +2

Shane Lowry +2

Jordan Spieth +3

Matt Fitzpatrick +4

Jon Rahm +4

IT'S PLUS FOUR FOR RAHM

Things are going from bad to worse for the Spaniard here, as he adds another shot to his card.

Hes got six to play and is currently T48 at 4+.

CONNORS TAKES THE SOLO LEAD

Corey Connors is pulling away from the pack and has just gone four-under, one ahead of Hovland in T2.

YOU'LL REALLY WANT TO STAY ON THE FAIRWAYS OUT THERE!

I've just been looking at a few pictures of the second cut at Oak Hill and it looks thick.

A few players have struggled to get the ball flying nicely from the rough today, Rory McIlroy is one who just about managed to hook a shot out earlier. But it's a place you don't want to be, reminiscent of the thick stuff at Winged Foot at the US Open a couple of years ago which was notoriously difficult to evade.

The course is in immaculate condition this week though, I must say.

TOUGH BOGEY FOR THEEGALA

A winding putt can't quite find the hole and Theegala will fall back from -2 to -1. He's now three shots off the lead.

JUSTIN THOMAS DROPS A SHOT

He's not looking too happy about it either, waving his putter in anguish. He's fallen out of the top order now and moves to +1.

LET'S CHECK IN ON THE WEATHER AND THERE'S GOOD NEWS!

Good news on the weather front after the frost delays this morning. Looks like we're in for some sun this afternoon with highs of 19º and no rain.

It looks to be quite windy out there so that could play a part in proceedings...

CONNORS FALLS BACK AS HOVLAND FINDS THE GREEN ON 14

Viktor Hovland has seen his moment and just as Connors drops a shot to go back level with him on -3, the Norwegian has struck a masterful approach to find the dance floor on 14.

A stunning shot, can he get it in for birdie?

ICYMI

Not from the PGA Championship - but if you missed it today, Gareth Bale struck his first hole-in-one at the third on Torrey Pines - a fantastic achievement!

Check out his brilliant celebrations below...

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BACK TO HOVLAND NOW AND HE CAN'T HOLE OUT

His first putt was perhaps a bit long-out and drifts wide of the hole. He hits home with his second but will drop a shot, moving out of the top three.

TOUGH TIMES FOR JON RAHM

Jon Rahm is the only player right now that is ranked inside the top 20 in strokes gained off-the-tee, strokes gained from putting and strokes gained from approach. But things just aren't linking up for the World No 1 today. Right now he's +4 through 14.

MEANWHILE, SHEFFLER JOINS THE LEAD

Scottie Scheffler drops yet another shot on the 8th hole to move into the joint-lead at the top of the leaderboard along side Corey Connors and Keegan Bradley at -3.

CAM SMITH GAINS A SHOT

Not a great putt from the former Open Champion, he slides the ball just to the right of the hole and goes back to +2 after a tough 15th hole.

LIKE VIKTOR HOVLAND'S SHIRT?

Viktor Hovland is channeling his inner Rickie Fowler this week and is sporting some fantastic orange gear today.

The Norwegian is an ambassador for J. Lindeberg, who produce some of the best designer golf gear in the game.

And we've been putting some of the best J. Lindeberg gear to the test recently! Check out our best golf polo shirts guide for several great options from the brand, including this fantastic green option, worn by Golf Monthly writer Monty McPhee!

J Lindeberg Heath Polo

Sizes: S-XXL Colors: 11

+ Clean and smart finish
+ Comfortable material
- The regular fit may not be for everyone

Choosing to wear the J.Lindeberg Heath polo shirt you can feel the premium quality that has been used to put this highly sort after shirt together. With sweat wicking technology the polo shirt also offers TX Jersey fabric which allows for a four-way stretch within the fabric making it one of the most comfortable golf shirts on the market, albeit not the lightest golf shirt out there in terms of weight, which some golfers may prefer. The polo shirt comes as a regular fit and is very much true to size with very little excess material intruding the swing. J.Lindeberg offer this shirt in 11 different colors so there is one for every occasion. The subtle embodied logo on the collar is smart and a great contrast to the loud mesh structure logo detail on the right sleeve.

BIG PUTT FROM MCILROY

He's down to +1 after being on the ropes earlier and he's playing some incredible golf, scrambling earlier today to pull his game back down to one-over par with a hole to play. Can he get it down to evens?

Meanwhile World No 1 Jon Rahm has now gone five-over!

THEEGALA IS NOT HAPPY

That's the day for Shatith Theegala and he's not happy with his finish, dropping a shot on the final hole having hit three straight bogeys to go +1. It's a disappointing finish after he was right up at the top of the leaderboard. The course and the pressure are all starting to ask questions here.

BRYSON CLIMBS TO THE JOINT-OVERALL LEAD

He's really playing some great golf here and seems to be playing with a lot more confidence after he was cut at the Masters.

DeChambeau, who won the US Open at Winged Foot, not far from here, has just birdied the 4th and could go one better on the 5th right now after a strong tee shot. Let's see what he can do!

AS IT STANDS...

So it looks like McIlroy is just wrapping up his first round, and what a comeback it's been, I'll have more on that in a moment.

Here's the leaderboard as it stands...

DOUBLE BOGEY FOR JON RAHM

The day is going from bad to worse for the Spaniard. He's got two holes to play and has just hit a bogey and a double bogey on the sixth and seventh.

He's now +7!

MCILROY FINISHES AT ONE-OVER!

A decent day from McIlroy, while he struggled at the start, he's bounced back nicely and considering his recent troubles at the Masters, it's a good score and he'll be able to attack the course over the next few days.

TYRELL HATTON COMING UP IN TEN!

We've just seen Tyrrell Hatton warming up with his wedges in the thick grass and that will certainly come in handy later today.

He's been looking in pretty good form of late finishing T5 and T3 at his last two events while coming in at second at the Players earlier this year. Can he claim his first major this week?

BRYSON REALLY IS PLAYING OUT OF HIS SKIN HERE

Approaching the pin at six, Bryson DeChambeau has just put his shot within two feet of the hole.

A stunning effort and he now moves into the solo-lead at -4 with three to play.

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER GOES BOGEY FREE

That's it for Scheffler today! Carding a very good final score of 67, hitting three birdies and no bogeys today. He'll have a good foothold on the leaderboard to attack from tomorrow, but he won't finish the day top...

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... AS KEEGAN BRADLY HAS JUST GONE FOUR-UNDER

The American is keeping the heat on Bryson at the top of the table and is not relenting. He's recovered very nicely from a blip towards the end of his front nine, hitting a double bogey and a bogey before dropping three shots in his back nine.

HERE COMES DJ!

We've got a very good group teeing off right now, with Tyrrell Hatton and Dustin Johnson both getting underway on the first.

But DJ has hit a poor tee shot to start and it seemed to coast left over the tree on the side of the fairway into a stack of spectators on the left-hand side of the course.

HOVLAND'S NEW SHOES?

Viktor Hovland seems to be wearing a new pair of shoes this week having worn Nike for the majority of his career.

We've been investigating and he seems to be wearing a new pair of Puma Ignite Articulate shoes.

And if you're interested in copping a pair yourself - why not check out our review below!

Puma Ignite Articulate Golf Shoe

For that 'locked in' feel on course

Sizes: 6-13 | Waterproof: Yes | BOA Option: No | Colors: 2 (White/Silver & Grey/Gold/Black)

Comprehensive grip from the new outsole

360° support

Sharp, understated looks with plenty of color options

Very little difference to previous Puma spiked shoe

Articulation geometry is behind the somewhat quirky name of the latest spiked shoe from Puma. The new technology allows the shoe to move with your foot while still providing a strong level of support. In practice, it works brilliantly and the shoes were a pleasure to play golf in. The styling is subtle but smart and Puma’s Ignite Foam provides a good amount of comfort and energy return in the midsole.

There isn't a traditional shoe tongue either and it is replaced with a single construction that provides plenty of support around the whole foot. There is then a 'cage' - pictured in black across the shoe - which wraps around any foot shape for added support. Much like with the FootJoy Tour Alpha, the shoe really creates a 'locked-in' feeling once the laces are tightened.

• Read our full Puma Ignite Articulate golf shoe review

MCILROY: "I'm fighting something"

Rory McIlroy has been speaking to the media after his first round at Oak Hill and has said he's 'fighting something'.

Earlier in the day, TV microphones had picked up a conversation between himself and Justin Thomas while walking off the 10th tee box, with Mcilroy reportedly saying he'd had a bit more energy.

He was asked whether he was feeling okay by reporters and responded: "I'm fighting something.

"I thought I got a great night's sleep last night, and I look at my Whoop, and I was 22 percent recovery, and my skin temperature was 3.5 degrees higher than what it's been.

"I'm fighting something. But I actually feel better today than I felt yesterday, so plenty of water and a bit of rest, I'll be fine."

AND HERE COMES PHIL!

After missing out on this years Masters, Rickie Fowler is back in contention and has just teed off.

He'll be teeing off alongside 2021 champion Phil Mickelson, who's whacked a high fade right down the fairway.

DECHAMBEAU KEEPS HIS COOL!

A great up-and-down from Bryson to make par as Bradley drops one back. The former long driver will now take the solo lead at four-under!

dechambeau stays ahead

Classy up-and-down from Bryson to stay one clear. Par at the last and it'll be a 66.

horror start for xander

+3 through two. Follows a bogey at one with a double at two. Difficult par-3 3rd next. Long way back...

Quote of the week so far from Hovland...

Q. Is this just like one of those things where you want to get the people talking, or...
Hovland: "Well, J.Lindeberg, they give me this stuff and pay me money to do so, so I just show up and wear what they want me to wear."

bryson shoots 66, leads by one

Bryson's 65th shot is not one of his best putts, but he cleans up from three feet to post a 66, which is good enough to lead by one. Where will that be come the end of the day?

Rose makes perfect start

The Englishman rolls in a lovely putt to start with a birdie. Meanwhile, Mickelson starts with three straight pars.

harman showing his muscle

Apparently he's not a big hitter but Harman is on the green on the 14th putting for eagle, which just slides by. The first player to reach the driveable par-4 today, apparently.

Scott -1 and looking good

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Here's a treat for you: Adam Scott's golf swing.

No more frost expected

We lost 1hr 50mins due to frost this morning, but that's all that's expected this week.

Straka on the move

No one hotter than Straka at the moment - he's -3 and just one shot off the lead.

Straka with a chance to join dechambeau...

Slides by.

McIlroy on the range

The Ulsterman looks fine. He's on the range hitting balls with a smile on his face. He shot a 71 earlier and currently sits fives shots back.

Rose to -2

Back-to-back birdies for the former US Open champion. Seems like an hour ago when he rolled in his first birdie. I think we're going along quite slowly, folks.

Scott to -2

The Aussie strokes one in to get to -2, just two back in a share of fifth.

Straka drops back to -2

Playing the brute that is 18 and Straka drops one after failing to get up-and down from the front rough. 33 blows, though, is very good stuff.

BORING, BORING DJ

Just the six straight pars from the LIV Golf star.

LEFTY GETS AWAY WITH ONE

Mickelson does what 99% of club golfers do in fairway bunkers - gets greedy. Fortune favors the brave, though, and the balls comes out of the trap on 6. That could have plugged if the face was wet. Plays a gorgeous iron shot and will most likely, knowing Phil, escape with a par.