DeChambeau leads PGA Championship

Bryson DeChambeau was back on a major stage Thursday. No longer the incredible bulk, he still lashed away with speed and strength that carried him to a 4-under 66 at tough Oak Hill and the early lead in the PGA Championship.

DeChambeau kept the ball in play for most of the round and powered his way out of the gnarly rough the few times he got out of position. He matched his low score at the PGA Championship and led by one over Scottie Scheffler, Dustin Johnson and Canada’s Corey Conners.

Still to be determined was whether he would be leading after the opening round. A two-hour frost delay meant 30 players didn’t finish because of darkness. They were to return Friday morning to finish. That included Eric Cole, the 34-year-old PGA Tour rookie who was at 5 under with four holes remaining.

“It’s a fantastic round of golf at Oak Hill,” DeChambeau said. “It’s a prestigious place, very difficult golf course. As I was looking at it throughout the week, I’m like, ‘Man, I don’t know how shooting under par is even possible out here on some of the holes.’ But luckily, I was able to play some really good golf.”

So did Johnson, the two-time major champion who is coming off a playoff win last week in Oklahoma in the Saudifunded LIV Golf League. Johnson went from a fairway bunker to deep rough left of the 18th green and missed a putt just inside 15 feet for his only bogey.

“I didn’t have my best stuff, but I felt like he managed the golf course very well and took advantage of the opportunities when I had it,” Johnson said. “Made some crucial saves there on the back side.”