Dustin Johnson took advantage of favorable morning conditions to take an early lead at the U.S. PGA Championship Thursday while Tiger Woods’ frustrations audibly got the better of him as he was caught dropping the F-bomb by television microphones.
The 14-time major winner uttered his first four letter expletive after a wayward tee-shot on the 16th hole at the Whistling Straits course near Kohler, Wisconsin.
He then let rip with another after missing a putt a short time later, asking himself aloud, “What the f*** is wrong with you?”
Woods had started calmly, making par at the opening hole – the first time he has achieved that feat at any major this year.
But the bogeys soon began to appear, as did frustration with his putter.
“I hit it good today,” he later told reporters. “I just had no feel at all for the speed (of the greens). It was awful.”
Johnson goes clear
Woods ended the day nine shots behind Johnson who carded a six-under-par 66 before the wind picked up in the afternoon.
The South Carolina native led David Lingmerth by one shot after the Swede missed an easy par putt with two holes remaining to fluff any chance of sharing the overnight lead.
Johnson has started strongly in all majors in 2015 before fading towards the end, but he feels the course could be play to his strengths.
“It’s a golf course I like and I played well here (at the U.S. PGA Championship) in 2010,” Johnson told reporters upon reaching the clubhouse. “I was excited to come back and play and get off to a good start.”
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A chasing pack including Matt Kucher, J.B. Holmes and Jason Day were two shots off the lead at four under par.
Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, who at one point shared an early lead with Johnson, and England’s Justin Rose were part of another group a shot further back on three under.
After so many close calls in major tournaments, however, Johnson refused to get carried away with his prospects at such an early stage.
“Sunday is the day you base your week on,” he said. “I’ve played very well on Sundays in major championships so I can get it done. My time will come.”
Spieth’s treble chase
Elsewhere on Thursday, Jordan Spieth finished his opening round on one under.
The 22-year-old is looking to claim his third major this year after triumphing at the Masters and the U.S. Open in April and June respectively.
If successful, he will become only the third player to win three majors in a calendar year, the others being Woods and Ben Hogan.
Another man with a big reputation and a hunger to be in contention come the weekend is Rory McIlroy.
The reigning U.S. PGA champion has missed the last month after damaging ankle ligaments playing football with friends.
If there were any doubts about the Northern Irishman’s fitness, however, they were dispelled when he was forced to play from the water on the fifth. It was a shot that brought back memories of Jean van de Velde wading into the drink at the 1999 Open Championship in Carnoustie.
McIlroy looked far more comfortable than the unfortunate Frenchman did that day as he pulled off a miraculous shot to land within 10 feet of the hole.
Three bogeys and four birdies, however, meant McIlroy finished level with playing partner Spieth and five shots off the pace.
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