2011 PGA Championship Day 1: Two Old Cheeseheads & Some Athletic Tape

Vince Lombardi would have loved the first day at the PGA Championship.

The legendary Packers coach, after witnessing the first day's action, would have summarized it along these lines: "These geezers can still play and they went out and showed their mettle."

The first day of the PGA Championship—an event called "Glory's Last Shot"—has ended, and two 44-year-old Wisconsin residents are at the top of the leaderboard.

In an event dominated by the news of Tiger Woods playing in a major, few predicted this storyline. And at their age, maybe this is their first-and-last shot at winning a major.

Two of the nicest guys on the PGA Tour sit at the top of the leaderboard. Neither has won a major in his career.

Just as it's still too premature to predict another Super Bowl for the Green Bay Packers, it's still too early to guarantee victory for either of these guys.

But Bart Stricker and Jerry Kramer are doing things in Atlanta—er—Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly are doing things just outside Atlanta that have made the golf world take notice. Stricker's opening round 63—which puts him at 5-under—puts him just two strokes ahead of Kelly, who shot a 65.

Apparently this Wisconsin success even has the Atlanta Athletic Club (Ga.) considering selling Bratwursts at the concession stands on Friday.

We know a lot of different things after eighteen holes at a major championship. Rory Mcllroy can play eighteen holes looking like he just got a poor tape job on his wrist from an athletic trainer.

Vince Lombardi would have said, "C'mon Mcllroy, you're not hurt, get out there and finish your game. Trainer, get some tape and wrap that thing"

Mcllroy did finish. In fact, after he sprained his right wrist, he birdied the next two holes. Then, he got re-taped and somehow racked together a even par 70. It was a display of toughness and tenacity that would have brought a smile to Lombardi.

Then, there was the most colorful scorecard award. Tiger Woods' 18-hole "journey" had some in the gallery looking for Leroy Nieman and a blank canvas.  

Woods had three double-bogeys, five bogeys, four birdies, and six pars. And, to make his incongruous round even more interesting, he was leading the tournament early when he was three-under after five holes. His scorecard was the personification of his life over the last two years. Roller-coaster to the nth degree.

Lombardi would say it's too early to get excited. After all, three quarters remain to be played.

But, it will be interesting to see if the old guys have the stamina and moxie to make it to the fourth quarter—ie. through four rounds. And Stricker and Kelly aren't even the oldest guys in contention.

Not to be outdone, two 47-year-olds also showed up on the leaderboard to keep Stricker and Kelly company. Scott Verplank turned in a three-under par 67 and Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love II is at 2-under (68).  

The much younger, Shaun Micheel, 42, (who like Love III) has a PGA title—at Wanamaker—under his belt, currently sits at 4-under (66).

Another sign of the PGA Championship simply oozing Green Bay Green into the pristine fairways was Michigan club professional Brian Cairns, who was using a dazzling Green Bay Packer-yellow golf ball.

Cairns recorded the highest score over the AAC layout, a 15-over-par 85.

Hmm.  

But, remember, Kelly and Stricker are not poised to do the Lambeau Leap into the pond beside the 18th green - yet.

The younger players have not even thrown a pass.

Stay tuned. This is just getting good.