Sweden’s Robert Karlsson is setting a formidable pace midway through his first round at the US PGA Championship in Michigan.
Karlsson, a top-ten finisher in each of the first three Majors of 2008, bounced back from an opening double bogey at the par-four first hole to birdie five of the next seven holes and move to three under par at the top of a very early leaderboard, completing his front nine in 32.
Karlsson is one of a strong European contingent at Oakland Hills Country Club bidding to break a winless streak dating back to Tommy Armour of Scotland in 1930.
Hopes that the 78 year drought can end this weekend have been boosted by the fact that the par 70, 7,395 yard course near Detroit played host to Europe’s 18.5 point to 9.5 victory over the United States in The Ryder Cup in 2004.
Eight of the team that won in formidable style four years ago have returned to Oakland Hills, but those already out on the course got off to a shaky start on a cool, clear and sunny morning.
England’s Paul Casey opened with a par at the tenth hole but double bogeyed the par four 11th hole before getting back to one over par with a birdie at the 14th.
Also starting at the tenth tee was Lee Westwood, who tied for second at last weekend’s World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational but was two over par after four holes, having bogeyed the par four tenth and the 191 yard 13th, the shortest of the four par-three holes on the course.
American Ryder Cup hopeful DJ Trahan made an impressive start to his first round.
The final Major of the year counts as the last event for Americans to qualify for the eight automatic spots on Paul Azinger’s Team.
Trahan, 11th on the US Ryder Cup Points List, was one of at least a dozen golfers playing with the pressure of sealing a place without relying on one of the four captain’s picks.
One of the very early starters, he responded in the best possible way, with an eagle at the par five second hole, while Jim Furyk was two under par after six holes.
