SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — Carl Pettersson was bracing for a long day at the PGA Championship. When he arrived at Whistling Straits, he had a short turnaround.
The first news of the final major of the year came early Thursday: Gary Woodland had withdrawn because of a neck injury, and he was replaced by Pettersson. The Swede has been at the course since Tuesday and played 27 holes of practice. He teed off later Thursday morning.
Ryan Helminen got the final major of the year underway. Helminen is a club pro in Wisconsin. He qualified by finishing 10th in the Professional National Championship, and he had the honors of hitting first tee shot.