CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Both Jhonattan Vegas and J.T. Poston scored a 3 at the par-3 17th hole, but their approaches were vastly different.
Vegas’s tee shot veered to the right, leading him to anticipate a challenging chip-and-putt for par. However, when his ball struck a rake beside the bunker, it unexpectedly bounced onto the green. Initially worried it might roll into the water, he was relieved to find it merely 35 feet away, allowing for an uncomplicated two-putt par.
“You sometimes get an unusual bounce, like off a sprinkler head or a cart path, or in my case, a rake landing on the green,” Vegas remarked. “It’s part of the game, and one must enjoy all aspects.”
In the afternoon round, Poston faced difficulties on the same hole, sending his shot into the water from 185 yards. “I would have settled for a bogey there,” he said. Yet, he managed to maintain a bogey-free performance, shooting a 70 and finished just four strokes behind the leader.
Poston then proceeded to a drop zone, where he successfully holed out from 110 yards to save par. “That felt even better than a 3,” he claimed. “I was on the brink of a double bogey, so that was a significant momentum shift.”
Remarkable Accomplishments
Si Woo Kim, known for his animated personality on the golf course, had a reason to celebrate at Quail Hollow on Friday as he recorded the longest hole-in-one in major championship history. Using a 5-wood on the 252-yard sixth hole, he achieved an ace that contributed to his impressive 7-under 64, putting him just two strokes off the lead.
After his ball bounced close to the hole and fell in, Kim joyfully tossed his club in the air and dashed down the fairway, triumphantly raising his arms at the next tee. He was informed of his record-breaking ace, noting, “Last year at Royal Troon, I also had the previous record.”
Frustrating Moments
The PGA Championship witnessed several intense moments, notably from Tyrrell Hatton. He was in contention until he hit his tee shot into a creek on the 18th hole, responding with visible frustration and some choice words about his driver. His round concluded with a triple bogey, leaving him seven strokes off the lead. Similarly, Shane Lowry faced frustration when he discovered his good drive on the eighth hole was in a pitch mark not belonging to him, leading to a bogey and an irritated exchange with an official.
Matthieu Pavon’s Solid Play
Matthieu Pavon of France showcased his skills, delivering a stellar 6-under 65, marking his best round in a major tournament. This performance placed him in the final group alongside Vegas. Pavon’s round not only matched the lowest score in major history by a French player but also demonstrated his ability to handle the pressure and challenges of the PGA Championship.
Notes and Withdrawals
Patton Kizzire withdrew after ten holes due to injury, finishing 6-over for the round. Meanwhile, recent sensation Michael Block, who had gained fame for his ace at the 2023 Oak Hill event, shot 75-82 this year, thus missing the cut. On another note, Dustin Johnson’s struggles continued as he missed the cut for the fifth time in his last seven major appearances.
