Five years ago, a leading golf publication chose Kiawah Island as the toughest golf course in America. Some of the best players in the world made it feel like a walk on the beach Thursday in the PGA Championship.
There was no wind in the morning when Carl Pettersson made three birdies on the opening four holes, and not even a freshening breeze could keep the self-proclaimed Swedish redneck from a bogey-free round of 6-under 66. It was his first time in 21 tries to break 70 in the PGA Championship, and it gave him a one-shot lead.
Rory McIlroy was on the practice range in what he described as "flat calm."
"I really thought that I had to take advantage of the conditions," said McIlroy, who did just that in a bogey-free round of 67, fresh signs that the 23-year-old from Northern Ireland might be ready to end his major season on a high note.
A hot but picturesque day along the coast of South Carolina even brought John Daly back into the picture at the major where he first came to prominence 21 years ago.
Daly, who hasn't had his PGA Tour card in six years, made an eagle putt and very few mistakes for a 68.
Pete Dye's intimidating Ocean Course might still get the best of them in the final major of the year. But for one day, it was there for the taking.
"There really wasn't much wind on the front nine, so I knew I had to keep going low because I figured the wind would get up," said Pettersson.
