Rory McIlroy kisses his prize after winning the 94th PGA Championship on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina on Sunday, August 12. See how the action unfolded here.
(CNN) -- Carl Pettersson of Sweden set the early pace in the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island but a gaggle of golf's elite were firmly in contention after the opening round of the final major of the season.
Pettersson carded six birdies in a flawless six-under 66 in South Carolina but 2011 U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was only one back -- tied with Gary Woodland and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain.
Defending champion Keegan Bradley -- a winner last week on the PGA Tour -- was in a group at four under, including veteran John Daly, while Tiger Woods carded six birdies on the way to a three-under 69.
"Anything in the 60s is going to be a good start in a major championship. I'm right there," Woods told gathered reporters.
"The wind kicked up a little bit and it changed things quite a bit and it's actually changed direction too," he added.
Latest leaderboard from PGA Championship
McIlroy has failed to mount a lasting challenge in the majors since his remarkable win at Congressional last June, but was also happy with his efforts after not dropping a shot on the Ocean Course.
"It is a great way to start a tournament," he told gathered reporters. "I thought I had to take advantage of the conditions. I am very happy."
Unheralded Dutchman Joost Luiten had looked set to lead the way as he reached eight under, but finishing at the ninth, he spoiled his round with a run of four straight bogeys to close with a 68.
Australia's Adam Scott -- a man who knows all about dropping four shots at the end of a round -- also opened with a 68, while Open champion Ernie Els compiled a steady par round of 72.
The 34-year-old Petterson, who is based in the United States, took dual citizenship earlier this year and in April achieved his fifth victory on the PGA Tour when he won the Heritage tournament.
Like the other leaders, he took advantage of drying conditions on a course hit by thunderstorms earlier this week.
World number one Luke Donald of England failed to capitalize as he struggled to a two-over par 74, one better than compatriot Lee Westwood who finished with a disappointing 75.
Loading weather data ...
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Carl Pettersson digs in during the final round.
Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh concluding their round.
The crowd goes crazy as Rory McIlroy wins.
Ian Poulter buries himself in bogeys late on Sunday.
Rory McIlroy sinking the winning putt.
Carl Pettersson of Sweden hits out of the sand on the 10th hole.
A general view of the 18th hole during the final round.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after a putt at the 18th hole.
Adam Scott of Australia lines up a putt during round three. Play in the third round resumed Sunday after it was suspended late Saturday due to bad weather.
The Ocean Course's Shingle-style clubhouse overlooks the 18th green. The course previously hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup.
Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland hits out of a bunker on the 18th hole during round three.
Tiger Woods lines up a putt during the third round.
Tim Clark of South Africa hits off the15th tee.
Trevor Immelman of South Africa and his caddy examine the green before a putt.
Woods catches a ball tossed by caddie Joe LaCava on the 14th green.
Tiger Woods hits out of the sand on the 17th hole during the third round.
Vijay Singh, who started the day near the top of the leaderboard, ponders his options before making a putt on the back nine on Sunday.
Surrounded by the gallery, Woods jumps to see his ball after his shot on the15th hole.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his drive from the 16th tee. He took a three-shot lead into the final 18 holes.
Spectators file along the course near the 16th hole to stake out a position for viewing.
Woods, who finished the third round with a 74, wipes his brow between holes.
Singh hits off the 16th tee.
Graeme McDowell blasts out of a sand bunker on Sunday.
Woods tries to reach the green from a bunker on the 17th hole.
Phil Mickelson finished the third round with a 73.
Adam Scott of Australia walks off the course under dark clouds as play is suspended due to rain on Saturday, August 11.
Tiger Woods, left, and Vijay Singh of Fiji walk off the course after the suspension of play.
Changes are made to the leaderboard during a delay in play due to weather Saturday.
Carl Pettersson of Sweden tries a putt from the edge of the green as storm clouds move in.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who goes into Sunday's play in the lead at 6 under par, hits off the sixth tee.
Woods, who dropped significantly in position Saturday, reacts after a missed putt on the fourth green.
Singh putts on the 18th green Saturday.
Bo Van Pelt of the United States hits a tee shot on the sixth hole.
Phil Mickelson tries for the green from the fairway on the 7th hole.
Aaron Baddeley has experienced peaks and valleys during this championship.
Fans watch the pairing of Graeme McDowell and Phil Mickelson on Saturday.
Jamie Donaldson of Wales hits from the seventh tee.
David Lynn of England hits out of the sand on the 18th hole.
Tiger Woods of the United States hits out of the sand on the seventh hole.
Blake Adams of the United States hits off the first tee.
Jamie Donaldson of Wales, left, and his caddie Mick Donaghy look on from the first tee.
Bill Haas of the United States hits a shot on the seventh hole during round three.
Tiger Woods of the United States hits off the first tee.
Bubba Watson of the United States prepares to hit a shot on the second hole.
Ryo Ishikawa of Japan hits off the fourth tee during round three in South Carolina on Saturday.
Bubba Watson of the United States hits off the seventh tee during Round Three.
Spectators look on as Bubba Watson putts on the first green.
Trevor Immelman of South Africa hits a tee shot during round two.
Justin Rose of England hits a shot off the first fairway during round three on Saturday.
Australia's Adam Scott putts on the 11th green during the second round of the 94th PGA Championship.
Rickie Fowler punches a ball on the 17th hole on Friday.
Hunter Mahan hits out of the sand on the 10th hole.
The wind whips the PGA flags on Friday.
Golf fans watch during the second round of the championship.
Graeme McDowell hits off the 18th tee.
Adam Scott studies the green on the 16th hole.
Phil Mickelson fans for onlookers.
A spectator watches the players from a tree.
Graeme McDowell walks with caddies.
Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the 10th green.
England's Roger Chapman, from left, Mark Brooks of the United States and South Africa's Retief Goosen talk on the 2nd tee.
Spain's Sergio Garcia hits off the 15th tee.
Luke Donald of England hits a shot on the 2nd hole.
U.S. player Dustin Johnson hits off the 15th tee during the first round of the 94th PGA Championship on Thursday.
Martin Kaymer of Germany hits a shot from the 10th fairway on Thursday.
U.S. player Tiger Woods hits off the 15th tee.
Woods hits a shot onto the 17th green during round one.
South Africa's Rory Sabbatini hits off the 15th tee.
Woods hits out of a bunker on the 14th hole.
Australian player Greg Chalmers chips in for birdie on the fifth hole.
Martin Kaymer of Germany lines up a putt on the 11th green.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits off the 12th tee.
Woods walks toward the 10th fairway.
Kaymer hits a shot on the 11th hole.
The PGA Championship got off to a gorgeous start Thursday.
|