Tony Finau, Joe Summerhays Both Conclude Round One At PGA Championship Over Par

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – As expected, it was an interesting day at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island to begin the 2021 PGA Championship with long holes and winds making conditions very difficult to score.

Two players with Utah ties began their quest for the Wanamaker Trophy, however, both players ended over par following the first 18 holes.

There's no faking it around this place, every aspect of your game has to be on.

It's Go Time! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/3NnDwVyTBT

— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 20, 2021

Utah’s Hopes Rest On Finau

Tony Finau, Utah’s most likely Wanamaker Trophy recipient, began by making the most of the par 5 2nd hole and quickly getting off to one-under-par. Although, trouble loomed as Finau made a bogey on 3, and a double-bogey one 4 to quickly send him to two-over-par.

Par’s fell on holes five and six before his second birdie of the round fell on the par 5 7th hole to bring him back to one-over-par and just four shots back from the leaders at that point.

He made the turn at one-over-par.

Then, his third birdie on the third par 5 11th dropped. All of a sudden he was back to even par and looked poised to make a late run on an opening day.

But that was not meant to be, a bogey on 12 came after finding the rough off the tee, greenside bunker for his third, and a 23-foot look at par that went begging.

Unlike earlier in the round, Finau bogeyed the final par 5 16th. Par’s on 17, and 18 sent Finau into the clubhouse at two-over-par and seven shots behind his playing partner Corey Conners who leads the field at five-under-par through the first 18 holes.

Par is in at 18🔥

Opening round 74(+2) today

Not his best stuff, but still right in the thick of things✅

— Tony Finau Tracker (@tracker_tony) May 20, 2021

Summerhays Battles

Unlike Finau, the goal prior to the tournament starting for Joe Summerhays was always going, to begin with making the cut. If the Oakridge Country Club and Eagle Lake Golf Course teaching professional could make the cut and play on the weekend at Kiawah Island that was a win for him and the state of Utah.

Joe Summerhays beginning his first round of the @PGAChampionship! #UtahPGA #Teamof20 #UtahGolf @PGA pic.twitter.com/mJyw6Bha2c

— Utah Section PGA (@UtahSectionPGA) May 20, 2021

But the first day did not go according to plan for Summerhays who battled his way to a first-round score of nine-over-par, 81.

Bogeys on 1, 4, and 9, double on 3, and a birdie on 5 had Summerhays making the turn at four-over-par.

Then, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island grew its teeth and punished Summerhays down the stretch. A double-bogey on 16 and bogeys on 14, 15, and 18 forced Summerhays into the clubhouse in a tie for 148.

Round Two Tee Times

Tony Finau will tee it up off the 10th tee at 5:38 a.m. alongside the leader Corey Conners and Mathew Fitzpatrick. While Summerhays will begin his second round off the first tee at 5:11 a.m.

Leaders After Round 1

1. Corey Conners -5
2. Brooks Koepka -3
   Keegan Bradley -3
   Viktor Hovland -3
   Aaron Wise -3
   Sam Horsfield -3

Other notables in the field include:
T7: Collin Morikawa -2
T7: Phil Mickelson -2
T7: Will Zalatoris -2
T14: Rickie Fowler -1
T14: Gary Woodland -1
T14: Cameron Smith -1
T29: BrysonDeChambeau E
T29: Jon Rahm E

Note: Scores may have changed as certain players were still in the midst of their first-round when this article was written. 

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