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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Golfers tame Kiawah Island in first round of PGA

Tiger Woods tips his hat en route to a 69 at Kiawah Island in South Carolina. (Associated Press)
Doug Ferguson Associated Press

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – 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-par 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 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, who won earlier this year down the coast at Hilton Head. “The wind started blowing a little bit on the back nine, and I carried on solid play. So it was a great day for me.”

McIlroy, Gary Woodland, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain and Alex Noren of Sweden each had a 67.

It was a good day for Tiger Woods, nothing more.

Despite having to get up-and-down for bogey on three holes, he made enough birdie putts for a 69, a reasonable start as he tries to end the longest drought of his career in the majors. This is his 14th major since he won his last one in 2008, and the last one of an otherwise good season.

“Anything in the 60s is going to be a good start in a major championship,” Woods said. “And I’m right there.”

Corey Prugh of Spokane opened with a 78.

Adam Scott, in his first major since throwing away the British Open with four bogeys on his last four holes, shot a 68.