Brooks Koepka went out early Thursday morning and posted a course-record 7-under 63 over the tough Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, and it's not out of the realm of possibility that if the former Seminole  shoots even par for the next 54 holes he could hang on and win the PGA Championship at that number.

    Danny Lee shot 64 and is one back and Tommy Fleetwood shot a 3-under 67 and is four strokes behind heading into round 2, and there are six more at 2 under. But it proved to be a difficult day for most of the field, and the early projected cut was at 2 over after 18 holes. 

    Koepka's round was magical; he made four birdies on the front nine and three on the back, and didn't make a bogey. He began with a birdie on 10 and ended the nine with a birdie on 18. Then he birdied No. 1 and closed it out with a birdie on nine. 

    The other Seminole in the field, Daniel Berger, was at even-par 70, along with Gator Billy Horschel. The second Gator, Brian Gay, soared to an 81 and withdrew. 

    Tiger had to deal with some double bogeys and wound up at 2 over, tied for 51st, while Phil Mickelson rebounded from a 2-over start to finish at 1 under, along with Jason Day. Rory McIlroy struggled to a 2-over 72.

    Tiger began with a double at No. 10, also doubled 17, and went to the front nine at 3 over. But he made two birdies early on the front, added an eagle 3 on No. 4, and suddenly he was back in it at 1 under. However, he bogeyed 5, 7 and 8 to kill the round. 

    As play began this morning, bogeys and doubles were prevalent, and Lee was among those falling fast. With Koepka not going off until 1:49, his lead could be huge by the time he gets to the first tee.  

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