Everything you need to know for Round 2 at the 2022 PGA Championship

TULSA, Okla. — Rory McIlroy won't have to worry about back-dooring a top-5 finish at a major championship after he grabbed the first-round lead at the 104th PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club on Friday.

With nine one-putts in his first 12 holes and 10 drives longer than 320 yards, McIlroy posted a 5-under 65 to grab the lead after the first 18 holes. It was the fourth time in his career that he shot 65 or better in the opening round of a major, the most by any player in the Masters era (since 1934), according to data from ESPN Stats & Information.

«I've been playing well coming in here,» McIlroy said. «I've been carrying some good form. Obviously, I took a lot from that last round at Augusta, played well up in D.C. at the Wells Fargo, and played good in the practice rounds earlier this week.»

It's the first time McIlroy has led after the first round of a major since his last victory in one, the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla. Since 2000, the first-round leader has gone on to win this tournament four times: Tiger Woods (2000), Phil Mickelson (2005), Jimmy Walker (2016) and Brooks Koepka (2019).

There are plenty of familiar names within striking distance of McIlroy, including Will Zalatoris (4 under), Justin Thomas (3 under), Xander Schauffele (2 under) and Cameron Smith (2 under).

Smith, who won The Players in March and played in the final pairing on Sunday at the Masters, had seven birdies in Thursday's first round (as many as McIlroy) and led the field in strokes gained: approach. Schauffele drove the ball extremely well and was one of the best scramblers in the field.

Zalatoris, 25, is one of the best ball strikers in the world and, well, not so much one of the best putters — until Thursday. Zalatoris