Golf's world no1 Scottie Scheffler has blasted the ‘frustrating’ conditions in the opening round of the PGA Championship.
The opening round came as a surprise to many, with none of the players ranked in the top 10 worldwide, anywhere to be seen in the tournament's top 10.
Rory McIlroy is suffering the most, shooting his worst round on the course since 2011, finishing three-over par, while reigning champion Xander Schauffele finished one-over par.
The opening round was marred by mudshots aplenty, typified by the 16th hole, where the trio all hit a double bogey.
Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler have blasted the conditions in the opening round
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It proved that even the world's best golfers can be humbled when conditions and circumstances conspire against them.
Both Scheffler and Schauffele voiced their displeasure at the number of mudballs they encountered during the round, citing this as the reason for their wayward approaches on the 16th hole.
The PGA of America had decided against using preferred lies, which would have allowed players to lift, clean and place their ball on the fairways.
The tournament organisers defended their decision, stating that the playing surfaces were ‘outstanding and are drying by the hour’ and that they would be ‘mowing the fairways this evening’.
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Scottie Scheffler finished the round two-under par
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Scheffler expressed his frustration with the conditions: "On 16, I hit in the middle of the fairway, you've got mud on your ball, and it's tough to control where it goes after that.
“It's one of those deals where it's frustrating to hit the ball in the middle of the fairway and get mud on it and have no idea where it's going to go."
The 28-year-old added: “It’s one of those deals where it’s frustrating to hit the ball in the middle of the fairway and get mud on it and have no idea where it’s going to go.
“I understand it’s part of the game, but there’s nothing more frustrating for a player.
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“You spend your whole life trying to learn how to control a golf ball, and due to a rules decision all of a sudden you have absolutely no control over where that golf ball goes.”
Schauffele also expressed his concern with the conditions, suggesting that many of the players were left frustrated by the conditions, leading to the mudballs.
“I wouldn't want to go in the locker room because I'm sure a lot of guys aren't super happy with sort of the conditions there.
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Xander Schauffele claimed many players 'are not super happy' with the conditions
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"It sucks that you're kind of 50/50 once you hit the fairway."
The world no3 also mentioned the wayward 16th hole with Scheffler, describing it as "ridiculous".
“Had a ridiculous mud ball there on 16 with Scottie, we were in the middle of the fairway, and I don’t know, we had to aim right of the grandstands probably. I’m not sure.
“I aimed right of the bunker, and it whipped in the water and Scottie whipped it in the water, as well. It is what it is, and a lot of guys are dealing with it, but it’s just unfortunate to be hitting good shots and to pay them off that way. It’s kind of stupid.
“I’m not the only guy. I’m just in front of the camera. I wouldn’t want to go in the locker room because I’m sure a lot of guys aren’t super happy with sort of the conditions there.
“I feel like the grass is so good, there is no real advantage to cleaning your ball in the fairway. The course is completely tipped out. It sucks that you’re kind of 50/50 once you hit the fairway.”
McIlroy did not speak to the media following his disappointing opening round.
The trio will be hoping the conditions improve moving forward if they have any hopes of catching Jhonattan Vegas, who leads with a seven-under 64.
Schauffele was not optimistic, however, claiming that the mudballs "are going to get worse".
