PGA Championship: Johnson's Rocky Day Ends With Beauty on 17

By KCRG Sports

Zach Johnson watches his chip shot during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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By Grant Burkhardt

Story Created: Aug 9, 2012 at 6:10 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 9, 2012 at 6:35 PM CDT

KIAWAH ISLAND, SC - Sweden's Carl Pettersson set the curve with an opening round 66 (6-under-par) at the PGA Championship. Cedar Rapids native Zach Johnson needed a near-ace on the par-3 17th to stabilize his round and finish even par, six shots back.

Johnson's beauty at the 17th hit in the center of the green and rolled to within inches of the cup. He tapped in for birdie - his fourth and final of the day - and finished off his 72 with a par on the 18th.

Johnson's day was as up-and-down as they get. After an opening-nine 37, Johnson made three birdies and two bogeys on the back nine, including the birdie on the 17th.

Rory McIlroy fired a 5-under 67 in his opening round, defending champion Keegan Bradley shot 68 and Tiger Woods shot 69.

Johnson tees off at 8:20 ET on Friday morning.

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