PGA Championship 2013: Biggest Surprises in Round 1

It's no surprise when Matt Kuchar finds his name near the top of the leaderboard because he has been one of the best and most consistent players on the tour this year. His three-under par 67 seemed eminently predictable and has him two strokes off the lead.

But when you see David Hearn of Canada one stroke from the top, it's a real shocker. The 34-year-old Ontario native has never won a PGA tournament in his career.

There are a number of surprises in the first round of the PGA Championship. Here's a look at the biggest in the early going of the year's fourth major.

David Hearn Joins the Fray

David Hearn is a frequent competitor in PGA events. He is not a frequent contender.

Hearn has played in 22 events this year. He has failed to make the cut in eight of them. That's not going to threaten many of the top players on the tour. Hearn was in a playoff in the John Deere Classic in mid-July. He did not win, but he took home $404,000 for his second-place finish.

That's been the exception for Hearn. He has only been in the top 10 in two events this year.

But Hearn has come on strong in the first round of the PGA Championship. He fired a four-under par 66 and had three birdies and one bogey on each nine.

Hearn struggles with his distance and accuracy off the tee. However, he is ranked 14th in strokes gained putting, and if he remains hot in that category, he has a chance to stay in contention.

Angel Cabrera Sinks Like a Stone

Angel Cabrera has a reputation for coming up with excellent efforts in the biggest tournaments.

Earlier this year, Cabrera played scintillating golf at the Masters as he took Adam Scott to a playoff before falling short. He also made a respectable finish in the British Open, tying for 11th. That performance would have been much better had he not closed with a 74.

There was every reason to think Cabrera would make another strong showing at the PGA. However, his first round was brutal. Cabrera fired a 10-over par 80. His round included one birdie, eight bogeys and one triple bogey.

It seems unlikely that Cabrera will be around for weekend play.

Martin Kaymer Makes a Run

Martin Kaymer was an impressive winner when he took the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in 2010. Kaymer and Bubba Watson tied for the lead after 72 holes, and Kaymer took the three-hole playoff for his first major championship.

Kaymer's win propelled him to the No. 1 ranking in the world in 2011, but he has not won a tournament since his PGA triumph.

Kaymer's play has been quite disappointing since his PGA triumph, but he started the 2013 tournament in excellent fashion. He shot a three-under par 67, and he is in position to make a run at his second PGA Championship. His round was highlighted by a three-hole run in which he went birdie, eagle, birdie on holes 12 through 14.

Ernie Els Can't Hold It Together

When it comes to major championships, Ernie Els is regularly expected to be near the top. His easy swing often appears flawless, and that's why he can compete in high-pressure events without losing his cool.

Els has won four majors in his career, and while the 2013 season has not been his best, he tied for fourth in the U.S. Open and tied for 13th in the Masters.

The first round of the PGA Championship was a struggle for him. He shot a four-over par 74, and that round was lowlighted by three straight bogeys on 16, 17 and 18.

Miguel Angel Jimenez Does It His Way

Miguel Angel Jimenez may be the most unlikely looking athlete in the sporting world. With his potbelly, ponytail and his propensity to light up his cigars, Jimenez looks like an overaged hippie. But don't let his appearance fool you. He can play golf.

Jimenez shot a 68 in the opening round, but it was anything but a classic round. Jimenez had seven birdies, one bogey and two double bogeys.

Jimenez bounced back from his double on the front nine with a birdie, and he rebounded from his back-nine double with a par. He is one of the most resilient and surprising golfers in the field.

Jordan Spieth Doesn't Have His Magic

Throughout his rookie season, Jordan Spieth has been one of the most impressive young players on the tour.

When he won the John Deere Classic in July, he became the PGA Tour's first teenage winner since 1931. Spieth has been excellent throughout the year. In addition to his victory, Spieth has five other top-10 performances.

After taking a short break following his appearance in the British Open, Spieth seemed to be refreshed for the PGA Championship. However, he struggled to a four-over par 74. Spieth had back-to-back double bogeys on the front nine, and that will make it difficult for him to climb back in contention.

Rory Comes Back to Life

It's been the worst kind of year for Rory McIlroy. A year after rising to No. 1 in the world rankings, McIlroy has been off his game on a consistent basis.

Things have been especially poor recently with his game, as he finished 57th in the Memorial Tournament, 41st in the U.S. Open, failed to make the cut at British Open and tied for 27th in the Bridgestone Invitational.

McIlroy would like to turn his season around. The defending PGA Champion played one of his best rounds of the year as he shot a one-under par 69. McIlroy shot an impressive 32 on the front nine, but he struggled coming home.

Still, his opening round should buoy his confidence after months of struggling.

X

Top Stars Limp Home

The golf world would like nothing more than to see a duel between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson on Sunday for the honor of lifting the Wanamaker Trophy and winning the PGA Championship.

That may well happen, but both superstars have plenty of work to do. Woods and Mickelson both shot one-over par rounds of 71.

Remarkably, both golfers came to their last holes of the day looking at one-under par rounds. However, Tiger and Lefty each closed with double bogeys.

Both men trail by six strokes and will have a lot of work to do to get back in contention.