Golf: Day, McIlroy Among Early Starters As PGA Begins

(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Golf: Day, McIlroy among early starters as PGA begins

SPRINGFIELD, United States, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th july, 2016) - World number one Jason Day, four-time major champion Rory McIlroy and five-time major winner Phil Mickelson were poised to make morning charges at Baltusrol as the 98th PGA Championship began Thursday. Sunny skies greeted the early starters from the field of 156, the strongest lineup of talent in any event based on world rankings since their 1986 creation. The 7,428-yard, par-70 layout features only two par-5 holes, those at 17 and 18 to ensure drama and eagle chances to the end. Defending champion Day has struggled in the run-up to the year's final major tournament with only a Wednesday practice round, an illness and a hospital trip after his wife Ellie suffered an allergic reaction after the Champions Dinner on Tuesday.

"I really don't look at it as a title defense," Day said after having taken his first major title last year at Whistling Straits. "I really look at it as I need to come back in, try and execute a game plan and try and win the tournament.

I won it last year. That was fantastic and I need to focus on what I need to do this year to win the Wanamaker Trophy again."