Tony Finau delivered a solid performance in the opening round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, shooting a 1-under 70. The former Salt Lake City resident started on the back nine and overcame an initial struggle, finishing the round tied for 23rd among the 156-player field.
Meanwhile, Patrick Fishburn, a former BYU golfer and in his second season on the PGA Tour, faced significant challenges in his opening round. After a promising start at 2-under with back-to-back birdies on holes 14 and 15, Fishburn encountered difficulties, ending up with a disappointing score of 6-over 77 and currently in 134th place. The competitive pressure of the tournament was evident, especially as he navigated a series of six consecutive bogeys.
Both golfers have their sights set on improving their standings, but they are at very different points in their competitions. Finau is aiming to reach the cut for the ninth straight year in a major championship, having previously tied for 18th in the PGA Championship last year. Fishburn, on the other hand, will need a strong performance in the upcoming rounds to stay in contention.
In other news from the tournament, Phil Mickelson also struggled, carding an 8-over 79 in his first round as he participates in his 36th major and 11th PGA Championship.
Looking ahead, Finau will tee off on the No. 1 tee at 11:58 a.m. MDT on Friday, while Fishburn is set for a 10:41 a.m. MDT start. Both players will be looking to make significant improvements in their game as they head into the next round.
Finau’s ongoing quest for his first major championship remains hopeful, and fans will be eager to see if he can capitalize on his strong start. Fishburn, despite the setbacks, has the chance to rally, as the unpredictable nature of golf often leads to dramatic turnarounds.