* Pettersson shoots 66 to move one stroke clear
* McIlroy and Woodland open with 67s
* Woods cards a 69 in low-scoring conditions
(Updates with Pettersson taking clubhouse lead)
By Mark Lamport-Stokes
KIAWAH ISLAND, South Carolina, Aug 9 (Reuters) – Swede Carl
Pettersson put himself in position to improve a mediocre record
in the majors as he spearheaded a glut of low scoring to surge
into a one-shot lead in the PGA Championship opening round on
Thursday.
The 34-year-old, who became a U.S. citizen in January, fired
a sizzling six-under-par 66 in ideal conditions at the
rain-softened Kiawah Island Golf Resort to take control of the
season’s final major.
Former U.S. Open winner Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and
long-hitting American Gary Woodland charged into contention with
67s while four-times champion Tiger Woods was overall happy
after opening with a 69.
Defending champion Keegan Bradley, 1991 winner John Daly,
Dutchman Joost Luiten, who briefly led at eight under, and
Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy carded 68s on a day of dazzling
sunshine at Kiawah where the ocean breezes began to strengthen.
“I played really good,” Pettersson told reporters after a
flawless six-birdie display in hot and humid conditions on the
ultra-long, 7,676-yard Ocean Course.
Continued…
