I write to you from Buffalo, New York. We are a city that has been in the national news this week for a horrific reason. Our work needs to begin in earnest, and needs to continue, to ensure that that this history has no chance of repeating itself. I welcome the opportunity to think about a major men’s golf championship this week, although my thoughts are never far from the victims and their families.

Southern Hills is the latest, reborn club to host a major championship. The new breed of course doctors are true students of the classic elements of proper golf course architecture. Gil Hanse and his cavemen did a fine job returning the glory of Perry Maxwell to this Tulsa treasure. Oklahoma had itself a somewhat-steamy Thursday, with the temperature peaking at 90 degrees around four o’clock. By that time, Rory McIlroy had completed his morning rounds, and held a one-shot advantage as the afternoon squad hit the tee decks. The two-time PGA champion will feature in our Five Things We Learned for today, but we need to get to four others first.

Justin Harding launches it for eagle! ?@JustinHarding60 | #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/iiPcXp4RcL

— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 19, 2022

5. How badly do I crave a major?

The list begins with Will Zalatoris (-4) and continues to Cameron Smith (-2) and Xander Schauffele (-2) and a host of others. The PGA Championship has an element of chill that other majors lack, and that might be why golfers tend to break through with confidence for a first major title. At the other three majors, first-time winners are often the unwitting beneficiaries of the misfortune of others. Not so at the professionals’ major. Lurking are Matt Kuchar (-3) and Abraham Ancer (-3). There will be plenty of break-through storylines to follow this week at Southern Hills.

Will Zalatoris carded a 66 in Round 1 of the #PGAChamp. Check out the highlights from his round.@Rolex pic.twitter.com/QZDdRUd7Wd

— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 19, 2022

4. What is it? Or him? Or what? I don’t know?

#TigerWoods #WyndhamChampionship2015 One of the most enjoyable quotes from the great cat focuses on Tom Hoge, currently seated at four-under par, one shot back of the leader. Hoge hails from North Dakota, and won his first Tour title at Pebble Beach, after years of grinding. He was so far, under-the-radar that Tiger Woods had no idea if he was a sandwich or a fellow touring professional. Hoge is precisely the type of golfer (think Shaun Micheel or Wayne Grady, or even Walter Burkemo) who wins a PGA Championship

3. Speaking of Tiger Woods…

It’s all a part of the process, doncha know? Tiger Woods teed off on the second nine, and stood two-under par through his first five holes. He made one more birdie coming home, but the rest was as forgettable as it comes. Tiny cuts, in the form of bogies, came seven times over those remaining 13 holes, and Woods found himself at four-over par at day’s end, nine shots off the lead at 74. We know that he can bounce back from such a malaise. If he can get back to even par on Friday evening, he should make the cut. Woods has good vibes at Southern Hills, having won the PGA here in 2007. He’ll need to draw on that mojo on Friday, else we’ll see him next in Brookline.

Birdie number two on the day for Tiger.@TigerWoods | #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/5JHRcdAn2N

— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 19, 2022

2. The guy we like

He’s only seven holes into his round, as I type these words, but I think that Collin Morikawa will rise up and win a second PGA in three years. There’s no glitz in his life to distract him. Other than impending nuptials with his sweetheart, Morikawa is all about the golf. Through seven holes, he had posted seven pars. Once the birdie dam breaks, the putts will begin to drop from everywhere. Check back with us in a few hours to find out how accurate this prediction was! (Editor’s note: Not a great prediction)

Collin Morikawa lets it fly. ?@collin_morikawa | #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/teXXBhnY6u

— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 19, 2022

1. Rory closes with birdie for 65

When we close the laptop on this week’s storylines, the 24-feet putt that Rory McIlroy made on green number nine (his eighteenth) on Thursday might be the one that we remember. The winner at Kiawah and Valhalla during the 2010s showed well on a course that resembles neither. McIlroy had consecutive birdies from holes 12 through 15, and added another pair at 2 and 5, to reach six-under par. On his 15th hole of the day, McIlroy stumbled to a bogey four, and repeated the recipe to holes later at the par-three eighth. Leaking oil, McIlroy knocked his approach to nine above the hole, then read the putt perfectly. He stroked it perfectly, too. As the orb tumbled down, McIlroy was in with 65 for a one-shot advantage.

Strong finish for Rory. ?@McIlroyRory | #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/ZVnnBEskW6

— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 19, 2022