The two leading drivers of the ball in the game today both got off to unexpectedly sloppy starts in the 98th PGA today in Springfield at Baltusrol’s venerable Lower Course.
Playing with an early tee time in the best wind free weather of the day, Rory McIlroy could not take advantage of either the benign conditions or his prodigious talents. McIlroy didn’t hole one birdie putt today and totaled 35 putts for the round. At +4 he is nine back of the surprise leader, Jimmy Walker, who posted a five under 65.
Dustin Johnson, World #2, was even worse than Rory. A double bogey six at the par four second set the tone for a round that spun out of control early, then stabilized a bit around the turn but culminated in a drenched tee ball and resulting 
bogey on the 18th, the easiest hole on the course. DJ shot himself out of the championship on day one and everyone in golf, including Johnson himself, are scratching their heads in bewilderment.
Although Australia’s Jason Day is the World #1 in the OWGR, Johnson has been without question the man these past two months, posting top ten’s every time out, winning back to back and singlehandedly defeating the bumbling grandees at the USGA.
Johnson will likely put this round behind him more quickly than any other elite player but his chances to double up on major titles this year are cooked. It’s a long time until Augusta but maybe some Rio gold will sooth the wound.
Some of the top picks for the Wanamaker did play well with Champion Golfer of the Year, Henrik Stenson leading that pack. In at -3, Stenson is tied fifth with three other players. That’s a helluva round from a guy who’s been swilling champagne from the Claret Jug for the last twelve days. I wrote Stenson off as a contender figuring he’d have a letdown after taking the Open. Wrong again.
Only two other players from the OWGR top ten are in the top ten on this leaderboard. Rickie Fowler and Jason Day posted 2 under 68’s and stand tied 9th in a log jam that has twelve players on that number.
With rain predicted tonight, tomorrow and forever it’s a wide open tournament. Just the way I like it.
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