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  • Thursday, Aug. 12
    Hole of the day: No. 5

    By John Marvel
    ESPN Golf Online

    MEDINAH, Ill. -- Although it's not nearly as daunting as its par-5 brethren at Medinah No. 3, the 530-yard fifth is still supposed to be a challenge. During Thursday's opening round of the 81st PGA Championship, it didn't prove to be the factor it might have been had the course not been pelted with rain throughout the day.

    With 15 players remaining on the course when play suspended, No. 5 was the easiest hole on the championship layout with an average score of 4.887. It yielded only one eagle, but gave up 38 birdies.

    It also provided a boost on the scorecard of leader Sergio Garcia, getting him to 2-under-par on the day after making a strong up-and-down from the left greenside bunker.

    Trees were planted on the left side of the fairway for the 1975 U.S. Open. By the time the Open returned 15 years later, the trees were even more of a factor as they lurked into the fairway. The landing area off the tree is only 22 yards wide, so driver is a dangerous play off the tee.

    Although the elevated green makes it a gamble during dry conditions, Thursday's rain allowed players to toss short-iron darts toward the green.

    "You could throw it right at the flag today," said Loren Roberts, who shot a 2-under 70.


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