PGA Golf: Collin Morikawa, Max Homa Tied For 27th After Day 1 at Oak Hill

Bryson DeChambeau was the leader in the clubhouse, five strokes ahead of the Cal duo.

Cal alums Collin Morikawa and Max Homa are tied for 27th place after shooting rounds of 1-over 71 to open the PGA Championship on Thursday at Oak Hill Country Club outside Rochester, N.Y.

Darkness fell before every golfer was off the course, including Eric Cole, a 34-year-old PGA Tour rookie, who was at minus-5 through 14 holes when play was halted.

Cole is among 30 players who still hadn’t finished their first round.

Bryson DeChambeau is the first-round leader in the clubhouse after shooting a 4-under 66 that included six birdies.

DeChambeau, once ranked No. 4 in the world, enjoyed his moment back in the spotlight on Thursday.

"The emotions have definitely fluctuated pretty high and pretty low, thinking I have something and it fails and going back and forth," said DeChambeau, who has since fallen to No. 214 in the rankings. "It's humbling. Golf, and life, always [has] a good way of kicking you on your you-know-what when you are on your high horse. It's nice to feel this today.”

World No. 2 Scottie Scheffler is among three golfers one stroke back at 67 after carding the first bogey-free round in 51 total rounds in major play.

Morikawa, ranked No. 16 in the world. began on the back nine and made birdies on Nos. 13 and 14 before a bogey on 15. After the turn, he bogeyed No. 1 and birdied No. 4 but wound up one over after bogeys on Nos. 6 and 9.

Homa, ranked No. 9 in the world and seeking his first victory at a major, finished strong to pull into a 15-way tie for 27th, alongside Morikawa, No. 3 Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson. Homa played 2 under on the back nine after shooting 3 over through the halfway point.

Defending champion Justin Thomas finished day with a 72.

No one among the game’s premier players had a tougher day than No. 1 Jon Rahm, who shot a 76 after six bogeys and a double-bogey.

Cover photo of Collin Morikawa by Adam Cairns, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo