Scottie Scheffler's frustrations during the first round of the US PGA Championship came to a head when he slammed his driver into his bag following a wayward tee shot.
The US Masters champion teed off at Southern Hills as the tournament favourite following his maiden major triumph at Augusta in April. Scheffler, 25, delivered a supreme display at Augusta, eventually winning by three shots from Rory McIlroy.
Aside from a four-putt on the very last hole, by which point the Green Jacket was all but secured, Scheffler's display was signified by composure and consistency. And it followed a stellar start to 2022 which saw him capture three tournament wins.
His exploits also saw him displace Jon Rahm as the new World No 1, a position he's retained heading into Southern Hills. However, he's left himself plenty to do if he's to win back-to-back majors following an opening round of 71.
Playing alongside Rahm and Colin Morikawa, with the PGA seemingly grouping the three best players in the world together, Scheffler started his tournament on the 10th. But after a scratchy start, the seemingly unflappable star lost his cool after driving into the water on 18.
After making his way from the tee towards where he thought his ball might have landed, Scheffler's worst fears were realised. He reacted by heading back to his bag, and twice picking up the guilty club before slamming it back in.
The New Jersey star went on to finish one-over par for the day, six shots off overall leader McIlroy. It leaves him tied in 38th place, and with the cut mark currently set at two-over, Scheffler can ill afford a poor showing on Friday.
It was McIlroy, 33, who from nowhere provided the biggest threat to Scheffler on the final day of The Masters, carding a sublime round of 64. He carried that form into Thursday, notching seven birdies.
Two dropped shots on his back nine did taint the round slightly, but was still enough for a one-shot lead from the American duo of Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge. Justin Wilson is also ominously placed at three-under.
It proved a tough day however, for Tiger Woods. The 15-time major champion started superbly, tapping in for birdie on his first [10th] hole after a brilliant approach.
He picked up another shot on his fifth [14th] hole amid huge roars from the crowd, but a wayward tee shot on the next hole then prompted a downturn. Woods eventually made seven bogeys, finishing four-over par.
It leaves him tied for 99th place and in need of a big display on Friday to make the weekend. However, he remained defiant afterwards, telling reporters he could 'get back in' to contention by shooting low in his second round.
