Xander Schauffele broke the PGA Championship scoring record and tied the mark for any major, seizing on the rain-softened conditions at Valhalla with a 9-under 62 to set the early target.
For the second time in a less than a year, the third-ranked player in the world tied the record for the lowest round at a major championship by shooting an opening-round 62, this time in the first round of the PGA Championship.
Schauffele, who started on No. 10, birdied five of his first nine holes and carded a 31 before turning over to the front nine and continuing his birdie march. Over the final eight holes, Schauffele made four birdies to open a 3-stroke lead on the morning wave.Schauffele had a chance to set the major record with a birdie putt on No. 9, but his 33-footer missed to the right.
Schauffele and top-10 finishes go hand in hand. He has eight of them this season but no victories. That trend extends to major championships. Of this year's field, only Fowler has more top-10 finishes at a major without a win than Schauffele , who has finished inside the top 10 at three of the past five."I'd say it's very close to it if not it," he said.
But few players are playing better golf than Schauffele is right now. He ranks inside the top 10 in strokes gained, and it's only his putting that has held him back. Schauffele's profile suits Valhalla well; the 7,600-yard course requires players to be exceptional with their long irons, and Schauffele tops the PGA Tour this year on approach shots over 200 yards.
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