Eon a first day of PGA Championship marked by Xander Schauffele’s historic result(second time equaling the record for the lowest round in the history of a ‘major’)the news for Spanish golf was positive, thanks to the good performance of Adrian Otaegui (70) and the recovery of by Jon Rahm (70), after a few first holes in which everything was going uphill for the former number one in the world. A good David Puig He started the second big game in his career by signing 72 hits.
Spanish players
While the favorites showed off their solidity, the ‘Lion of Barrika’ had to fight to raise a +4 after six holes. Scottie Scheffler (67)although he had not competed for three weeks, he scored the best blow of the day holing out from about 150 meters with a 9 iron in hand. Sublime, although he missed again on some short putts that would have shot up the rankings even more. Rory McIlory (66) y Brooks Koepka (67) They also responded well to their premiere, as well as a Tom Kim (66) whose meteoric career had suddenly cooled down. Morikawa (66), Hovland (68), Cam Smith (68) o Dechanbeau (68) They more than fulfilled.
The Biscayan He mistreated his good statistics from tee to green and was somewhat erratic with his putt in those first six holeswhich were an ordeal. The pressure was there for ‘Rahmbo’, who after this fateful stretch began to straighten out his turn, although without getting off the slide that his premiere in Valhalla became. . It is not the first time this year that the Spaniard completes a round full of birdies and bogeys. Too many mistakes, although the Spaniard’s reaction in any case was that of a great champion, as he managed to calm down, stabilize his game and finish with four birdies in the final six holes.
The former world number one will have to continue his comeback in the second round and any higher objective will have to be fought for every day, in the only ‘major’ that resists Spanish golf. ‘Rahmbo’ has lost some ground and For this Friday and Saturday the weather forecast speaks of stormsso a better start seemed essential.
