In a surprising turn of events during the opening round of the PGA Championship, the world’s top three golfers all faced significant challenges on the 535-yard, par-4 16th hole. This iconic moment unfolded on Thursday, as Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Xander Schauffele each recorded a double bogey, highlighting the unpredictable nature of championship golf.
Starting his round on the 10th hole, Rory McIlroy struggled to find his rhythm, managing to hit only one fairway up to that point. His tee shot on the 16th was poorly pulled, landing him in the rough. After battling through three subsequent shots from various challenging spots, McIlroy attempted to save par with a 12-foot putt, but it unfortunately skirted past the hole. This mishap resulted in a double bogey, bringing him to 1 over par for the tournament.
Meanwhile, both Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele found themselves in the middle of the fairway, but the aftermath of the intense rain at Quail Hollow created muddy conditions that complicated their approach shots. Scheffler, hitting first from 212 yards, hooked his approach shot, which took a hard bounce and found its way into the water to the left of the green. Following closely, Schauffele hit a nearly identical shot from 209 yards, leading to a similar outcome.
Both golfers faced the daunting task of playing their fourth shots after incurring penalty strokes. With the pin positioned well past the hole, they had to navigate tricky lag putts that left them with uncomfortable distances to the cup. Scheffler, who had just made an eagle on the par-5 15th hole, managed to sink a 7-footer for double bogey, bringing him back to even par. Schauffele followed suit, making his 5-footer for the same score, which pushed him to 2 over par.
As the dust settled on the challenging 16th hole, Ryan Fox emerged as the early leader of the tournament, sitting at an impressive 4 under par. The opening round of the PGA Championship was a stark reminder of the unpredictability of golf, especially when faced with tough conditions and high-pressure situations.
The double bogeys by the top players not only added drama to the tournament but also showcased the immense skill and resilience required to compete at the highest level. As the championship progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these elite players recover from their setbacks.
