Rough ride for early starters

Luke Donald had to tackle a cold wind in his face when he resumed the United States PGA championship in joint fourth place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin today.

Not only that, but the organisers had taken steps to stiffen up the challenge of the longest course ever used for a major championship.

The par five 11th was one of three holes yesterday where the tee was moved forward, but it was back to its full 618 yards for the second round – and for the early starters at least the wind was against.

Nevertheless, Donald parred it and remained five under par, having missed a 10-foot birdie chance on the 10th which would have lifted him alongside Ernie Els and Justin Leonard in second spot only one behind Darren Clarke.

All those three were not teeing off again until the afternoon, Clarke having thrown down the gauntlet to the field with his opening seven under par 65.

First out at 7am was Ian Woosnam, but he needed something special just to make the halfway cut after a 79.

The Welshman, invited to the event after being unable to take up his spot last year following the death of his father, ran up a six on the difficult 11th, but followed that with a birdie to get back to seven over.

The cut to the leading 70 and ties was likely to fall at around two over – and Tiger Woods was three over par overnight.