May 14 (UPI) — Scottie Scheffler was among seven golfers to fire matching 3-under 67s, earning a share of the lead through the first round of the 2026 PGA Championship on Thursday in Newton Square, Pa.

The performance marked the first time Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the Official World Golf Ranking, has held a first-round lead at a major tournament. The seven co-leaders also mark the most after any round of a major.

“The golf course was pretty challenging this afternoon,” Scheffler said on the ESPN broadcast. “I did a pretty good job of staying in it mentally and staying patient around a place that was pretty tricky at times.

“It was very difficult to make birdies. Scrambling was important today.”

Scheffler, the defending champion and tournament favorite, is joined by No. 1,160 Martin Kaymer, No. 100 Stephan Jaeger, No. 78 Alex Smalley, No. 75 Aldrich Potgieter, No. 59 Ryo Hisatsune and No. 31 Min Woo Lee atop the leaderboard through the first 18 holes of the second major of the season.

Scheffler was 1-over through his first five holes, thanks to a bogey on No. 4 at Aronmink Golf Club. He bounced back with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 6 and 7 to card a 1-under 34 through his first nine holes.

Scheffler remained hot on the back nine, starting with birdies on Nos. 10 and 11. He holed a second bogey on No. 14, but birdied No. 16 to jump back into a tie for first place. Scheffler made par on his final two holes of the first round.

No. 11 Xander Schauffele was among seven players to fire 2-under 68s for another crowded tie for eighth place. No. 2 Rory McIlroy carded a 4-over 74 and was tied for 105th through his first 18 holes.

The second round will tee off at 6:45 a.m. EDT Friday at Aronmink. Coverage will air from 6:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. on ESPN+ and noon to 8 p.m. on ESPN.