Day one digest: 2021 US PGA Championship
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Everything you need to know from day one at Kiawah Island.
Conners took the honours, we had not one but two hole out eagles, Hatton made a quick recovery and we saw a shot that was truly rubbish on day one of the 2021 US PGA Championship.
Here is everything you need to know from the first round in South Carolina.
Corey is the story
Corey Conners may not be the best known name on the European Tour but he's been popping up on some pretty impressive leaderboards of late. After finishing in the top ten at the past two Masters Tournaments, he carded a 67 to get to five under and lead the way by two. "I'm excited for the opportunity to play against the best players in the world and put my game to the test," he said. "I have a lot of confidence in my game and I'm excited for the rest of the weekend. Didn't try to force it to happen but definitely saw myself having a good day today and hopefully can keep that up the rest of the weekend." He'll have to because in a tie for second he has four time Major Champion Brooks Koepka, in form duo Sam Horsfield and Viktor Hovland and 2011 champion Keegan Bradley.
Hovland sounds a warning
Since winning the Mayakoba Golf Classic on the PGA Tour in December, Hovland has recorded six top fives in 12 events worldwide, including back to back top threes coming into this week. That would be enough to fill any field with some fear but the Norwegian thinks he is even better this week. "I can't remember the last time I felt as good as I did today on the golf course," he said. "I feel like, even though I played two good tournaments, I feel a lot better for this week." Ominous.
Big birds from the fairway
First Patrick Cantlay....
And later in the day Will Zalatoris got in on the act. Easy game, really.
Tyrrell shakes off warm up woes
We've all had a bad range session, we haven't all followed them with a 71 at Kiawah Island. But then we're not all Tyrrell Hatton.
That is rubbish
Harsh? Nope.
