Scheffler Headlines Packed Leaderboard After Grueling Opening Round at PGA Championship.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Scottie Scheffler navigated brutal conditions at Aronimink Golf Club better than almost everyone Thursday, carding a 3-under 67 to emerge from a crowded leaderboard and claim a share of the first-round lead at the PGA Championship.

Seven players finished the day tied atop the leaderboard, marking the largest opening-round tie at a major championship in decades. Alongside Scheffler were Martin Kaymer, Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune and Alex Smalley.

The demanding layout outside Philadelphia featured slick greens, firm fairways and steady wind gusts that made low scoring nearly impossible for much of the field. Only 48 players finished within three shots of the lead. Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked player and defending PGA champion, delivered one of his steadiest opening rounds of the season. He hit all but one fairway and relied on timely putting to keep momentum throughout the afternoon.

His biggest highlights came on the seventh and 10th holes, where he drained birdie putts from long range to climb near the top of the leaderboard. He also escaped trouble at the par-3 17th after receiving relief from a sprinkler head near the rough, salvaging par to stay at 3 under. Despite entering the week as the tournament favorite, Scheffler downplayed the significance of leading after one round. “With so many guys right there, it still feels completely wide open,” he said afterward. One of the more surprising names atop the leaderboard was Kaymer, the 2010 PGA champion, who entered the week ranked outside the top 1,000 in the world. The German, now competing primarily on LIV Golf, has rarely contended in majors in recent years but looked comfortable on a course that punished even minor mistakes. Kaymer said earlier in the week he felt overlooked entering the championship, using that as motivation during his opening round.

Behind the leaders, several notable contenders remained within striking distance. Patrick Reed posted a bogey-free 68, while Xander Schauffele and Shane Lowry also finished at 2 under. Jordan Spieth, still chasing the PGA Championship to complete the career Grand Slam, opened with a 69 despite late bogeys. He was joined by major champions Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas. Rahm’s round featured one of the day’s most dramatic moments when he holed out from the fairway for eagle on the 11th hole before adding a chip-in birdie later in the round. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy struggled down the stretch. The reigning Masters champion bogeyed his final four holes to settle for a 74 before heading directly to the practice range. Bryson DeChambeau faced an even steeper climb after managing just one birdie in a disappointing 76, leaving him in danger of missing the cut at a second consecutive major.