Defending champion Brooks Koepka made an inspired start at the PGA Championship with a dominant display that for several hours seemed destined to give him a big lead after the first round on Thursday.
Koepka made the gargantuan, rain-softened Bethpage Black layout look easy with a seven-under-par 63 that matched the second lowest round in any major championship.
But an inspired Danny Lee almost caught Koepka in the afternoon, the South Korean-born, American-based citizen of New Zealand finishing in style with birdies at the final two holes for a 64.
The two frontrunners had a handy cushion over their nearest pursuer, Englishman Tommy Fleetwood on 67.
Tiger Woods, in his first competitive round since winning the Masters a month ago, putted poorly for a 72 in the company of Koepka.
