Robin Dawson closed with a one-over 73 at the Canyon Course at Blue Canyon Country Club to slip down the leaderboard but still finish the best of the Irish contingent in Phuket

Robin Dawson closed with a one-over 73 at the Canyon Course at Blue Canyon Country Club to slip down the leaderboard but still finish the best of the Irish contingent in Phuket
Some interesting stats and figures from the first round of the PGA Championship at Southern Hills
“It was tough out there. Hot. Windy. The greens are getting bouncy. Obviously if you miss the fairway, it’s very, very tricky. I’m pretty happy with my score”, said Lowry
“What I need now is lots of treatment, lots of ice baths, and try and get the inflammation out and try and get ready for tomorrow,” said Woods
McIlroy’s score was his lowest PGA Championship opener since a first round 66 on route to victory at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla in Kentucky
Purcell’s good form continued with a solid opening effort of level-par as his compatriots struggled in Cadiz
Olivia Mehaffey battled hard to shoot a one-over 72 after she recovered from a torrid run on her back nine
Robin Dawson was the lone Irish survivor as he made the cut at the MENA Tour finale
Fourteen years on from his last major triumph, Pádraig Harrington is in great form heading to Southern Hills for his latest jaunt at a fourth crown
This week may be the PGA Championship but it’s customary each year for the PGA of America to extend an invitation to the rival captains to visit the media centre for an update on the Ryder Cup
Rory, Shane, Paddy and Seamus all head to the second major of the year with formidable form behind them
Shane Lowry has always been one of more affable top golfers to work with and his press conferences rarely disappoint!
Scottie Scheffler is many people’s idea of this week’s US PGA Championship winner and has made no secret of his fondness for this week’s host venue in Southern Hills. Will the Scottie-Slam still be on after Sunday?
“I think it’s pretty similar. Like if I go back and look at my form going into The Open in 2019, I think my form was pretty good,” said Lowry.
“It’s a lot harder to get the second than I thought it would be, internally. Not as much pressure externally. But just on me, it’s like, obviously when you win one, to get to where you want to go, you have to win the next one”