SPRINGFIELD, United States: American Jimmy Walker went four under par on his first nine holes to grab the early lead in Thursday’s first round of the 98th PGA Championship. Walker, who began off the 10th tee, birdied the 13th and 15th, sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th and birdied the par-5 18th to make the turn one stroke ahead of compatriots Rickie Fowler and Brian Stuard at par-70 Baltusrol. Fowler, who also started on the back nine, opened with a bogey but answered with birdies on three of his next four holes and closed the front nine with a birdie as well. Stuard birdied the 11th, 18th and second holes.