Well, That Was A…Weird Start to the PGA Championship

Show of hands: who had Rory McIlroy shooting a 3-over 74 at Quail Hollow on Thursday? That’s right, the man who has won here four times including just 12 months ago. The man fresh off a Green Jacket win that completed the Career Grand Slam. The man who’s won three times already this season.

This game is just the best…and weird.

In fact, his Ryder Cup captain who has zero, yes, zero, under-par rounds on the PGA TOUR this season beat him by seven shots. Our headline for the story paints the picture quite well, so I’ll use it again here: Luke Donald, where the hell did that come from?

And that’s just one example of what made the opening round of the PGA Championship a little strange.

Consensus favorite Bryson DeChambeau couldn’t get much going and shot an even-par 71. Defending champion Xander Schauffele shot 1-over 72. Three-time Wanamaker winner Brooks Koepka shot 4-over 75.

And I was going to list out all the names on the top of the leaderboard and what they’ve done recently or in their careers at majors, but I think this tweet from Underdog Golf sums it up too perfectly not to use:

Honestly, this is one of the most unexpected first pages I can remember seeing at one of the year’s premier events. A complete void of superstar power.

Sure, Scottie Scheffler manufactured a 2-under 69, and with just a decent day on Friday he’ll be in the thick of things, but it feels so weird to see no other big names up there near the lead. No Rory, no Bryson. Just strange. The “biggest names” above Scottie are Keegan Bradley, Tyrrell Hatton, and Matt Fitzpatrick.

That’s it.

I also think the Masters has something to do with the disappointment. That golf tournament wasn’t just one of the best in Masters history, but in golf history. We got spoiled a little bit—and it was very much appreciated.

They say the cream always rises to the top, but man, those names have a lot of work to do over the next few days to join the conversation by Sunday afternoon.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t plan on leaving my couch for the next 54 holes, but boy oh boy do I hope to see someone of notability make a move.

But we only get four of these a year. Enjoy it while it lasts, because those eight months without a major crawl by.

And with that, the second round is underway at Quail Hollow. We'll be watching with cautious optimism going into the weekend.