Xander Schauffele records a score of 62 in flawless opener at PGA Championship

On a morning ideal for scoring on a soft course, Schauffele opened a little space with a three-shot lead over fellow Americans Tony Finau and Sahith Theegala, who both shot 65.

MR 62: Xander Schauffele hits from the fairway on the 17th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Valhalla Golf Club. Pic: AP Photo/Matt York

Xander Schauffele is happy to be called Mr. 62. He’d prefer to be known by the end of the week as major champion.

For the second consecutive year, the American Schauffele opened a major championship with a record score of 62 after a flawless 9-under-par start in the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on Thursday. Last year at Los Angeles Country Club, Schauffele and Rickie Fowler fired matching 62s in the opening round of the U.S. Open, joining Branden Grace (2017 Open third round at Royal Birkdale) for the lowest scores in major history.