Jimmy Walker set the clubhouse lead at the PGA Championship on Thursday with a round of 65 at Baltusrol Golf Club. The American went seven-under-par in the first round of the season’s final major to earn a one-shot lead over Emiliano Grillo and Ross Fisher.
Walker started on the 10th and birdied four holes on Baltusrol’s back stretch to turn in 32. He added another two red numbers on his second nine, which included a drop at the sixth, before signing for 65.
The five-time PGA Tour winner has top-10s at every major except The Open Championship. His best result in a PGA Championship was a tie for seventh in 2014.
This week he’s off to a good start at the season’s final major, but needs to keep working his way below par during the course of the week.
‘Winning a major would be huge,’ he said. ‘That’s what everyone wants, clearly, that’s the goal in being here. I feel I prepared well and it’s nice that showed. But there’s three days to go and a lot more golf to come.’
Branden Grace carded an even-par 70 for an early share of 37th, while George Coetzee was tied for 95th on two-over-par.
