Bethpage Black Course, Bethpage State Park, Long Island, New York — May 16, 2019
The first round of the PGA Championship began Thursday on Long Island. The first time the famed Bethpage Black Course has hosted the PGA’s premier event after previously acting as the site of 2 U.S. Opens (2002, 2009). Bethpage is scheduled to host the Ryder Cup in 2024.
For the PGA Championship, the course plays at 7,459 yards with a par of 70. There is only one par 5 hole on each side. The 517 yard 4th on the front and the 608 yard 13th on the back nine.
First Round Leaders
Brooks Koepka jumped out to a big 1st-day lead, on most of the field, posting a 7 under par score for his opening round. His 63 set a course record and tied the record for the lowest score in PGA Championship history. Koepka birdied three of the first 5 holes and only needed 25 putts to complete the round. Interestingly, with pars on both of the par 5 holes, he missed two birdie opportunities that could have given him an even lower score.
Danny Lee scrambled to shoot a 64, doing it the hard way. Hitting only 10 greens in regulation, his eight birdies, and two bogeys made it an interesting day for Lee. He was the only golfer to keep Koepka from making Thursday a complete runaway.
Tommy Fleetwood sits in 3rd at 3 under par. A five-some of little know players Mike Lorenzo-Vera, Luke List, Sung Kang, Chez Reavie, and Pat Perez are tied for 4th at 2 under.
Tiger Woods
Masters winner Tiger Woods teed off at 8:24 am, starting on the 10th hole which he double bogeyed to begin his round. A birdie on 15 followed by another double bogey on the par 3 17th and Tiger was 3 over after nine holes.
Two birdies to start the 2nd nine and an eagle on the par 5 fourth hole got Woods into red figures. Then bogeys on holes five, seven, and eight left him 2 over for the round. Tied for 52nd, 9 strokes off the lead, Tiger could be in danger of missing the cut.
Look to The Lasco Press for complete weekend coverage of the 2nd of golf’s majors in 2019.
