Walker atop PGA after 65; Stenson 2 shots back

8:19 PM ET

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — A stale year for Jimmy Walker came to life Thursday in the PGA Championship when he saw putts drop and wound up leading a major for the first time in his career.

A great year might get even better for Henrik Stenson.

Walker took advantage of smoother greens in the morning Thursday at Baltusrol by rolling in six birdies for a 5-under 65, giving him a one-shot lead after the opening round of the final major that delivered its share of surprises.

Editor’s PicksNo letdown for Stenson in opening 67

Coming off his Open win, no one would have faulted Henrik Stenson for a slow start at the PGA Championship. Instead, the Swede birdied his final hole and sits 2 off the lead after Round 1.

Johnson tied for 143rd at PGA after opening 77

Dustin Johnson opened the PGA Championship on Thursday with a 7-over 77, putting golf’s most consistent player this year in a tie for 143rd place.

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U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson, with a chance to go to No. 1 in the world, was in the trees, in the water and couldn’t get out of a bunker. He managed one birdie in a round of 77 that wasn’t enough to beat 15 of the club pros at Baltusrol.

He wasn’t alone in his misery. Rory McIlroy took 35 putts and didn’t make a single birdie in his round of 74 that left him so frustrated that he returned to Baltusrol late in the day with his putter.

Stenson had his struggles on the greens, too, but he was rolling right along at the end with three birdies over his last seven holes for a 67, leaving him only two shots out of the lead as he tries to become the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win back-to-back majors at age 40.

“It’s going to be a great season for me,” Stenson said. “But at the same time, I …

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