In the hunt at the PGA

Jupiter’s Rickie Fowler one shot off the lead.

ST. LOUIS — Kansasbred Gary Woodland felt right at home in enemy territory and delivered his best performance in a major Thursday at the PGA Championship.

Woodland used his power to birdie the two par-5s on the soft turf of Bellerive, and he relied on a new grip and new confidence in his putter for everything else on his way to a 6-under 64 for a oneshot lead over Rickie Fowler in the opening round of the year’s final major.

Woodland recognized close to 100 friends and family members among thousands in a gallery that withstood the sweltering weather, and his only fault was trying too hard. He made a careless bogey on the opening hole and had to make a 15-foot par putt at No. 5. Then he settled down and was on his way.

“This week is as close to home as I’ve been,” Woodland said. “I snuck over here about a month ago and played the course. Really enjoyed the layout. The turf is very familiar to me. It’s so hot during the summer, so the greens are soft and slow. You can be more aggressive, which suits my game.”

Fowler played in the morning, when the greens were slightly smoother, and made five birdies over his last 11 holes for a 65. It was an important start for Fowler, who turns 30 this year and is regarded as among the best players without a major. The closest he has come to such a trophy is celebrating those won by his friends.

“It’s not something I necessarily worry about,” Fowler said. “We have had plenty of runner-ups. Jack (Nicklaus) had a lot of runnerups. We’ll just keep beating down that door.”

Bellerive allowed for low scoring, provided the ball stayed in the short grass. Woodland had an 18-foot birdie attempt on the 18th that would have tied the PGA Championship record, and it stopped just short. It was one of the few he missed.

Two-time major champion Zach Johnson and Brandon Stone of South Africa were at 66.

Dustin Johnson reached 5 under until a few wild drives on the back nine cost him. The world’s No. 1 player settled for a 67, along with Jason Day, Justin Rose and eight other players.

It was more of a struggle for Tiger Woods, drenched in so much sweat that he changed shirts after 12 shots — that was only two holes and a tee shot. He had to make an 8-foot putt to escape with a bogey on No. 10, then dumped a wedge into the water for a double bogey on No. 11. Woods was 3 over through seven holes, then clawed his way back to even par for a 70.

“A lot of things could happen. Not a lot of them were positive,” Woods said. “But I hung in there and turned it around.”

Defending champion Justin Thomas let a good start slip away. He didn’t make a putt outside a few feet over the last 12 holes and shot 69. Jordan Spieth, in his second crack at completing the career Grand Slam, opened with a double bogey and finished with two bad swings off the tee that sent him to a 71.

The secret was simple: Avoid the rough.

That’s why Fowler thrived. He missed only three fairways and putted for birdie on all but two holes.

Fowler’s biggest change was the wardrobe, as he switched to a yellow shirt in memory of Jarrod Lyle, the Australian golfer who died Wednesday at 36.

For Woodland, success in the big events has been hard to find. He hasn’t registered a top-10 in a major and hasn’t contended since winning the Phoenix Open more than six months ago.

“It’s nice to see the results,” Woodland said. “Today was a step in the right direction.”

SHAWN THEW/EPA Gary Woodland has never had a top-10 finish in a major, but he’s leading at Bellerive.