Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson shared the early honours in their eagerly awaited grouping in the opening round of the 88th PGA Championship on Thursday.
Pitted together with US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy of Australia for the first two days at Medinah Country Club, the world's best two players were locked at two under par after seven holes. Masters champion Mickelson drew first blood with successive birdies after the high-profile trio teed off at the par-five 10th in front of a massive gallery.
The American left-hander, winner of last year's title at Baltusrol, narrowly missed an eagle putt from 35 feet after reaching the 10th green in two. He then struck his second to within six feet of the flag at the 11th to lie one stroke behind early pacesetters Kenneth Ferrie of Britain and Americans Billy Andrade, Stewart Cink and Lucas Glover.
Woods, chasing his 12th career major after winning last month's British Open at Hoylake, made a stumbling start.
He pulled his opening tee shot into the left rough, clipped a tree with his recovery on to the fairway and overhit the green with his wedge approach before chipping 30 feet past the hole. A two-putt gave him a bogey six and he failed to convert a good birdie opportunity at the par-four 11th after hitting his approach to nine feet.
MASSIVE DRIVE: However, the world number one rallied with a birdie at the 12th, where he powered a massive drive more than 300 yards and unerringly rifled a wedge to within six feet of the hole.
He also picked up shots on 14 and 15 to drew level with Mickelson at two under on a calm, clear morning at Medinah.
Englishman Ferrie, out of action since withdrawing from the second round of last month's British Open because of a back injury, rattled up three birdies and one bogey in his first six holes and stayed at three under with six to play. That put him one behind compatriot Lee Westwood, after nine holes, and level with Andrade and Cink, after 11, and American club professional Gregory Bisconti, after 13.