Major accomplishment

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This article was published 10/08/2012 (5098 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — The breakthrough moment Thursday wasn’t just the sun shining over Kiawah Island. It was Carl Pettersson breaking 70 for the first time in 21 tries at the PGA Championship to take the lead.

It was Rory McIlroy flashing that boyish smile and bashing tee shots and yes, even John Daly showing there might be another cycle left in that up-and-down career.

Pettersson, a winner earlier this year down the coast at Hilton Head, got the best of the weather on a steamy day on the Ocean Course and didn’t waste the opportunity. He made three birdies in four holes, never dropped a shot and wound up with a 6-under 66 for a one-shot lead.

McIlroy, Gary Woodland, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain and Alex Noren of Sweden each had 67.

“There really wasn’t much wind on the front nine, so I knew I had to keep going low because I figured the wind would get up,” Pettersson said. “The wind started blowing a little bit on the back nine, and I carried on solid play. So it was a great day for me.”

It was a good day for Tiger Woods, nothing more. Despite having to get up and down for bogey on three holes, he made enough birdie putts for a 69, a reasonable start as he tries to end the longest drought of his career in the majors. This is his 14th major since he won his last one in 2008.

“Anything in the 60s is going to be a good start in a major championship,” Woods said. “And I’m right there.”

He had plenty of company, some players who had not been heard from in a while, others that were all too familiar.

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Woodland, who started the season with a new coach (Butch Harmon) and injured himself working too hard on the changes, is feeling better and hitting it longer than ever.

“I drove the ball the best I’ve driven it all year,” Woodland said. “And when I drive it like that, I’m playing a game that most guys can’t play out here.”

Daly made an eagle on the par-5 11th hole and was in the group at 68 that included former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and defending PGA champion Keegan Bradley.

— The Associated Press