Lowry and Power happy to hang on to McIlroy's coattails as Southern Hills bares its teeth

Irish duo drew short straw as Oklahoma winds picked up for afternoon groups but both are content to still be within striking distance of the leader

After you: Tiger Woods of the United States walks from the first tee as Rory McIlroy looks on during the first round of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club Pic: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

After watching Rory McIlroy tear up the golf course in the morning, Irishmen Shane Lowry and Séamus Power were just happy to get off their final green on or around level par in the afternoon on a beaten up Southern Hills.

Lowry made three key putts of 25, 17 and 11 feet on the back nine – the last on No. 17 for birdie – to shoot even-par 70 in the first round of the PGA Championship, leaving him five shots behind McIlroy and tied 28th. Power made clutch par saves on his last two holes at Nos. 8 and 9 to shoot 1-over 71 and sit tied 41st.