Thoughts on the opening round of the 2023 PGA Championship:
RIGHT OR RAHM: World number one Jon Rahm (Callaway Chrome Soft X) is going to need a spectacular performance on Friday just to make the cut.
After shooting six-over par in the first round, Rahm looked anything like the player who has dominated the PGA Tour since the start of 2023.
He came into the tournament as the consensus 7-1 favorite, and after opening with a birdie on his first hole it appeared as if he was headed for another stress-free round. But he was four-over par in his first nine holes, two-over par on the back nine, and has left himself in the rare position of possibly going home after 36 holes.
Look, if that happens it would be that the law of averages finally caught up with him.
DECHAMBEAU IN GREAT SHAPE: Looking fit and strong as opposed to being bulked up and out of form, Bryson DeChambeau (Bridgestone Tour B X) fired a four-under par to lead the field after he finished his opening round.
So much has been written about DeChambeau in recent years as he tried to reinvent the sport with a workout routine, apparel and comments that bordered on ridiculous. DeChambeau has been invisible since he joined LIV Golf last year, and he said after his round on Thursday that it’s been a tough four or five years but he felt he was finally able to execute some shots in his opening round.
FOUL FOOD FOR THE BRAVE: The Garbage Plate is apparently the dish of choice in Rochester, where the PGA Championship is being played. An article in USA Today in 2019 described the Garbage Plate as a combination of starches and meats that is perfect for curing a hangover. It’s comprised of two cheeseburger patties slapped on oily meat sauce and topped with raw onions, ketchup, mustard and home fries, macaroni salad and beans on the sides. I have to believe this collective concoction of calories can’t be good for the digestive system.
SCHEFFLER ON POINT: World number two Scottie Scheffler (Titleist Pro V1) opened with a three-under par. He has a chance of overtaking Rahm in the rankings.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m so tired, this course is so hard.” – Keegan Bradley (Srixon Z-Star Diamond), who won the tournament in 2011 and shot two-under par.
RORY OF THE CROWD: Rory McIlroy (TaylorMade TP5X) received a huge ovation from the crowd when the starter announced his name prior to teeing off. Inasmuch as everything has gone right for Rahm in 2023, it’s been nothing but a struggle for McIlroy. It just goes to show how fickle the game of golf is after he won the Tour Championship in 2022. But after carding a one-over par in his opening round, McIlroy is very much in contention of making the cut.
SPIETH AND SPEIGHT: It took me forever to spell Jordan Spieth (Titleist Pro V1x), now I’m getting confused because of Josh Speight, who is one of 19 teaching professionals in the field.
PHIL BEING PHIL: It was only two years ago that Phil Mickelson (Callaway Chrome Soft X Triple Track) created some magic winning the PGA Championship, becoming the oldest player ever to win a major. Well, after trying for second in the 2023 Masters, it wouldn’t be surprising if Lefty makes a run in the PGA Championship. I’m not saying he’s going to win, but never truly bet against him.
THE LIV GUYS: I don’t think the fans care about the PGA Tour and LIV Golf because when it comes to the majors, it’s the best of both battling it out.
